Singhal Lab

Male Infertility Study

Effect of Youth Obesity and Weight Loss on Male Reproductive System

About the Study

Sperm swimming to the uterus

Brief Summary

This study evaluates the effect of obesity during puberty and its treatment with glucagon-like peptide analogs (GLP-1) and sleeve gastrectomy on the male reproductive axis. Current data show that testosterone levels increase after weight loss. However, we do not know the effects on sperm quality and eventually on male fertility. The study is enrolling young men with normal weight and with obesity who are 18-25 years old. The group with obesity will include individuals who plan to undergo sleeve gastrectomy, use glucagon-like peptide 1 analogs (GLP-1) and those who do not anticipate undergoing surgical or pharmacological treatment.

Keywords

Obesity, male reproductive system, male infertility, GLP-1, semen analysis

Study Type

Observational

Eligibility

  1. Men ages 18-25
  2. Willing to provide a semen sample

Study Participation

  1. For participants with normal weight: 2 study visits; For participants with obesity: 4-5 study visits over 2 years.
  2. Includes semen sample collection, fasting blood sample collection, Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Scan for body composition assessments, body measurements, and assessments related to nutrition, physical activity, and mental health.
  3. You will receive a $50 gift card for every visit you complete (up to a total of $250). Parking will be paid.

Contact Ashley Huynh, Clinical Research Coordinator, at [email protected] or 310-893-9522. If you choose to respond by email, do not include any sensitive health information, as the confidentiality of emails cannot be guaranteed.

Collaborators (Co-Investigators)

Daniel A. DeUgarte, MD
Pediatric General Surgery
Sriram V. Eleswarapu, MD, PhD
Andrology, Urology

Relevant Publications

Male infertility and obesity.

  • Rasouli MA, Dumesic DA, Singhal V.Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2024 Dec 1;31(6):203-209. doi: 10.1097/MED.0000000000000883. Epub 2024 Sep 9.PMID: 39253759

Trajectory of Gonadal Hormones in Adolescent Males up to 2 Years After Sleeve Gastrectomy.

  • Kaur S, Bredella MA, Misra M, Singhal V.Obes Surg. 2023 Oct;33(10):3323-3326. doi: 10.1007/s11695-023-06759-0. Epub 2023 Aug 10.PMID: 37561269

Changes in Sex Steroids and Enteric Peptides After Sleeve Gastrectomy in Youth in Relation to Changes in Bone Parameters.

  • Nimmala S, Kaur S, Singhal V, Mitchell DM, Stanford FC, Bouxsein ML, Lauze M, Huynh C, Pedreira CC, Lee H, Bredella MA, Misra M.