Body mass index (BMI) has been demonstrated to affect female fertility; however, little information is available on the impact of BMI on male fertility or semen parameters. Therefore, the study objective was to determine the relationship between BMI and semen parameters, including sperm chromatin integrity. We analyzed data on semen samples from 520 men who were grouped based upon calculated BMI values (normal, 20-24 B eing overweight appears to be one of the major and neglected causes of infertility. The excessive amount and distribution of body fat is related to fertility loss in women (Wass et al, 1997). It is well documented that excessive weight can lead to spontaneous abortions and an increased risk of birth defects (Watkins et al, 2003;Bellver and Pellicer, 2004). The percentage of body fat is estimated by calculating body mass index (BMI). Female patients presenting with high BMI values (.25 kg/m 2 ) typically are insulin resistant (Chang et al, 2004), have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) (Dale et al, 1992), and have a poor fertility prognosis (Barbieri, 2001). Overweight, infertile patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) therapy typically require larger gonadotropin dosages (Loh et al, 2002), produce fewer mature oocytes (Crosignani et al, 1994), have lower embryo quality (Carrell et al, 2001), and have a higher incidence of miscarriages (Bellver and Pellicer, 2002).Little information exists on the impact of BMI on male fertility or semen parameters. Men with low BMI (,20 kg/m 2 ) may present with an abnormal semen analysis and have low circulating testosterone levels (Ayers et al, 1985). However, this may be attributed to physical factors of training, for these individuals are typically athletes (Lucia et al, 1996). Our study objective was to determine the relationship between BMI and semen parameters (sperm quantity and quality) in the male partner of couples presenting for infertility. Materials and MethodsSemen was collected by self-masturbation from normal, healthy men (age range, 26-45 years; mean, 34.6 years) presenting for routine semen analysis testing performed by the Reproductive Biology Associates Andrology Laboratory (Atlanta, Ga). A single semen sample was collected from each man. None of the men had previous surgery (eg, vasectomy reversal or varicocele removal (WHO, 1999). An aliquot (,50 mL) of semen was smeared and stained via the HEMA-3 (Fisher Scientific, Atlanta, Ga) staining procedure. In brief, slides were fixed (1.8 mg triarylmethane),

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matured MII or IVM-MII oocytes were collected and processed rapidly. RNA was extracted and amplified using a 2-round in vitro transcription procedure, then labeled and hybridized to Applied Biosystems Human Genome Survey Microarrays. This array interrogates 29,098 genes. Up-or down-regulated genes were classified according to the molecular function, biological process, or pathway in which they participate. Statistical analysis was employed to compare each class of genes between samples.RESULTS: The in vitro transcription protocol generated an average of 12 mg of RNA per sample. GV, in vivo matured-MII and IVM-MII oocytes expressed 14,188, 16,402 and 18,299 genes, respectively. There was extensive overlap in the genes expressed by each group, but also some significant differences. Samples showing the least similarity in expression profile were GV and in vivo MII oocytes. IVM-MIIs also displayed significant differences in expression when compared to in vivo MII oocytes, indicating that the process of in vitro maturation does not perfectly mimic that achieved in vivo. A disproportionate number of genes for storage proteins displayed down-regulation in IVM-MII oocytes (relative to in vivo MII). A reduction in expression was also seen for genes involved in processes of homeostasis. Significant up-regulation of gene expression for the ubiquitin proteasome pathway was observed in both IVM-MII and GV samples.CONCLUSIONS: This study provided a detailed insight into gene expression of human oocytes, assessing virtually every gene in the genome. GV oocytes were highly active for processes related to transcription, RNA processing and early stages of protein synthesis, whereas MII oocytes were active for pathways involved in processing of mature proteins. The results suggest that although IVM-MII oocytes closely resemble in vivo-MII oocytes for pathways related to nuclear maturity, a number of those associated with cytoplasmic functions continue to be expressed in a GV-like manner. Additionally, IVM-MII oocytes have significant differences in the expression of genes related to cellular storage and homeostasis. The pathways abnormally expressed during IVM highlight specific deficiencies in culture media and point the way to further optimization of IVM protocols.