Poster Presentation ESA-SRB-ANZOS 2025 in conjunction with ENSA

The impact of obesity and fatty acid profiles on human semen parameters for a western australian cohort (128631)

Saskia Harman 1 , Julie Sartori 1 , Hamish Barblett 2 , David Coall 1
  1. Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
  2. Genea (Hollywood) Fertility, Perth, WA

Male infertility is a significant global health concern, contributing to approximately half of all couple infertility cases1. A decline in semen quality has been increasingly linked to obesity and poor dietary patterns2,3. In Australia, around 65% of men are classified as overweight or obese, which presents a pressing public health issue4. Although interest in the nutritional determinants related to male reproductive health is growing, the specific impact of dietary fat intake is limited. Furthermore, the relationship between obesity and semen quality remains underexplored, particularly for Australian populations.

This project aims to investigate the impact of obesity and spermatozoa fatty acid profiles on semen parameters in a Western Australian male cohort. In addition, examine if lifestyle variables such as weight, BMI, smoking and alcohol consumption correlate with fatty acid lipidomic measures and overall semen quality.

The study will use measures of sperm quality, including standard semen analysis and sperm DNA fragmentation. Fatty acid profiles (saturated fatty acids (SFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) will be objectively measured using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), providing a precise alternative to self-reported dietary tools.

This will be the first known Australian study to apply LC-MS-based lipidomic profiling to spermatozoa, addressing a notable methodological gap in male fertility research. Western Australian males remain underrepresented in reproductive health research, and most existing studies are based on populations outside Australia. Given the similarities in dietary patterns and obesity prevalence between Australian and American men, particularly the high intake of saturated fats, this research is both timely and necessary to determine whether existing findings are generalisable5-7. Findings are expected to improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms linking diet, obesity, and male fertility. Ultimately, this research may guide the development of targeted dietary and lifestyle interventions to enhance reproductive outcomes.

  1. 1. Katz, D. J., Shoshany, O., , Teloken, T. (2017). Male infertility – The other side of the equation. Australian Journal for General Practitioners, 46, 641-646. https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2017/september/male-infertility
  2. 2. Campbell, J. M., Lane, M., Owens, J. A., & Bakos, H. W. (2015). Paternal obesity negatively affects male fertility and assisted reproduction outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online, 31(5), 593-604. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.07.012
  3. 3. Crean, A. J., & Senior, A. M. (2019). High-fat diets reduce male reproductive success in animal models: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obes Rev, 20(6), 921-933. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12827
  4. 4. Swami, N., Quinn, B, Terhaag, S, Daraganova, G. (2020). Chapter 3: Overweight and Obesity Among Australian Males. Australian Government- Department of Health, Australian Government- Australian Institute of Family Studies. https://aifs.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-10/2020_ttm_insights_report_chapter_3.pdf
  5. 5. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2024). Intake of discretionary foods, added sugars, saturated and trans fats and sodium. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/food-nutrition/diet#:~:text=In%202022–23%2C%20available%20dietary,the%20average%20recommended%20nutrient%20requirements.
  6. 6. National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). (2013). Eat for Health. Department of Health and Ageing. https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/the_guidelines/n55_australian_dietary_guidelines.pdf
  7. 7. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2020). Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf