Treatment Options for Improving The Semen Quality in Obese Men: A Scoping Review

Abstract: Obesity is a significant factor affecting male fertility. Infertility in obese men often accompanies with metabolic dysfunction and differs from idiopathic male infertility (MI) in treatment approaches. This scoping review summarizes published treatment options for affecting the semen quality in obese men. A comprehensive literature search strategy was conducted via PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Inclusion criteria encompassed clinical research articles focusing on obese men. Finally, 28 eligible clinical studies were included. Treatment options for improving the semen quality in obese male encompass bariatric surgery, lifestyle modifications (eg, exercise training, dietary adjustments), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, selective estrogen receptor modulators, testosterone, aromatase inhibitors, nutritional supplements, traditional Chinese medicine, etc. Patients may benefit from combination therapies. Future directions should explore more effective treatment approaches, prioritize the overall health of obese infertile men, evaluate the impact of interventions on offspring and develop the standard treatment guidelines based on the high-level clinical evidence. Keywords: semen quality, obese men, treatment, bariatric surgery, lifestyle