Influence of physical activity on male fertility

Abstract

Infertility is a worldwide issue impacting 15% of couples' population. Male‐related infertility results in almost 50% of these cases. Considering lifestyle factors associated with infertility, here in this literature review article, we aimed to discuss training/sport effects on male‐related infertility. Regarding this issue, human and animal model studies related to the subject were gathered and analysed. Exercise is well known as a general improving factor, however, excessive exercise can result in male infertility due to reduced hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal axis (HPT) function, increased oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Consequently, these underlying impacts result in a low testosterone production, and reduced semen quality, and can lead to infertility. In contrast, it has been revealed that exercise can improve male fertility status in lifestyle‐induced infertility condition such as obesity and diabetes. Indeed, exercise, by increasing testicular antioxidant defence, reducing pro‐inflammatory cytokines level and enhancing the steroidogenesis process, leads to improved spermatogenesis and semen quality in lifestyle‐induced infertility. In fact, it seems that individual health status as well as exercise volume, intensity and duration are effective‐involved co‐factors that influence the impact that exercise will promote on male fertility. Regarding these findings, it is important to study exercise different impacts in further clinical trials in order to generate preservative guidelines for exercise and also considering exercise as a treatment option in lifestyle‐induced disease management.

Glycosylation on Spermatozoa, a Promise for the Journey to the Oocyte

“…Although spermatogenesis is a complicated process, involving in more than 2300 genes that are regulated tempo-spatially to develop spermatogonia to spermatozoa [148], only 30% of male infertility are associated with genetic abnormalities [149,150]. Furthermore, about 50% of infertility are idiopathic [151,152], which is a Glycosylation on Spermatozoa, a Promise for the Journey to the Oocyte DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106438 long-term unsolved andrological question, resulting from many possible factors, such as environmental factors, lifestyle, and so on [153]. Thus, a comprehensive andrological assessment is required for a male infertility work-up, including a detailed history analysis, physical examination, well-established semen analysis, endocrine assessment, DNA and epigenetic deficiencies, and so on [154].…”

Spermatogenesis recovery treatment in less than four months from zero to almost 16 million sperms per milliliter after several cycles of steroids in 44‐year‐old healthy man

“…Unfortunately, there are not enough clinical studies and evidence that any of these parameters have positive influence on sperm quality. 5,19,20 Stress and caffeine consumption was also investigated in the past; 3 however as single or dual factors, there is no prove about direct influence on spermatogenesis. Patient is a manager in big global company at very stressful position, and he made decision that during this period of recovery he would take 5 weeks' vacation in the south of hemisphere (summertime in December and January), to be able to have more outdoor activities, fresh area, access to the beach and more relaxed daily time.…”

“…Active training time and calories burned per day have been both increased by 50%, while sleeping pattern was increased by 20%. Unfortunately, there are not enough clinical studies and evidence that any of these parameters have positive influence on sperm quality 5,19,20 …”

“…Many different approaches have been used in the past, including medications and food supplements (mostly antioxidants) to improve sperm count in healthy males. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] In this paper, we report the case of the healthy, sporty, intellectual, educated (pharmacist), and very active man in his early 40th. His example was unique due to very fast and unusually successful level of spermatogenesis recovery after several steroids' cycles (4 months after last steroid use and 3.5 months after therapy and habit changes).…”

Effects of physical activity and sleep duration on fertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis based on prospective cohort studies

“…Amenorrhea is one of the dysfunction of “female athletes triad,” compared with a sedentary control group, athletes are more prone to changes in the menstrual cycle; the secretion of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) increased in women with changes in menstrual cycle, and CRH inhibite the release of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) which inhibit the normal pulsatile secretion mode of gonadotropin ( 39 ). For men, excessive exercise can reduce the function of hypothalamus pituitary gonad axis (HPT), increase oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, resulting in decreased semen quality, thus impairing male fertility ( 40 ). Semen evaluation of male athletes found that sperm DNA fragmentation was affected by high level sports training ( 41 ).…”