Reproductive Consequences of Obesity

Abstract

With increasing global obesity, there is a growing body of research looking at the impact of this on reproduction. Both male and female fertility are impacted on by being overweight or obese. Although the pathophysiology is not clear, it appears that obesity impacts endocrine function in men and women, oocyte and sperm quality, embryo quality, endocrine receptivity, and implantation. Miscarriage, pregnancy, and live birth rates and the risk of congenital malformations are all influenced by obesity. Transgenerational health is also affected, with metabolic, endocrine, and reproductive outcomes in the offspring being negatively affected by both paternal and maternal obesity. It appears that weight loss results in improvements in these outcomes and various strategies have been employed including lifestyle and behavior modification, pharmacological agents, and also bariatric surgery. This chapter aims to explore the reproductive outcomes of obesity and how this can be best managed to improve outcomes.

A 21st Century Epidemy-Obesity: And Its Impact on Pregnancy Loss

“…Obesity is an inflammatory state in which women have higher circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is an inflammatory biomarker [ 16 ]. Adipose tissue produces many pro-inflammatory adipokines, including leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), and interleukin (IL) 6 [ 16 ]. The reproductive tissues are negatively affected by inflammation, like all cells in our body [ 16 ].…”

“…Adipose tissue produces many pro-inflammatory adipokines, including leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), and interleukin (IL) 6 [ 16 ]. The reproductive tissues are negatively affected by inflammation, like all cells in our body [ 16 ]. A possible cause for cellular and organelle damage in obesity is lipotoxicity, a condition where fatty acids from the diet that exceed the adipocytes' storage ability can accumulate in other tissues and cause toxic effects [ 16 ].…”

“…which is an inflammatory biomarker [16]. Adipose tissue produces many pro-inflammatory adipokines, including leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), and interleukin (IL) 6 [16].…”

Complications During Pregnancy on the Background of Overweight and Obesity

“…Як і всі клітини нашого організму, репродуктивні тканини піддаються негативному впливу запалення. Можливою причиною пошкодження клітин і органел у разі ожиріння є ліпотоксичність [9]. З огляду на визнаний вплив ожиріння на ембріон, ендометрій та ооцити, розумно припустити, що рівень викиднів буде вищим у популяції з надмірною вагою та ожирінням.…”