In in vitro tests on mice, researchers at the University of Melbourne have shown that sperm from obese males can delay fetal development and reduce the embryo’s chances of successfully implanting.
This study comes at the right time in Australia where the population suffers from a significant “weight problem”, note the researchers. 75% of the Australian male population is obese or overweight, compared to the world average of 48%.
“Many men do not understand the importance of their role, but it is important that they are healthy before they conceive,” said study researcher David Gardner in a statement. “Semenmust be up to the task to create life “.
In addition to limiting the chances of pregnancy, paternal obesity also reduces the development of the placenta in women which can have negative consequences on the development of the child in the long term.
To conduct their study, the researchers put the mice on a fast-food diet for ten weeks.
These results will be presented at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society of Australia this week.
Note that the consumption of certain foods, such as nuts, can improve the quality of semen. This is also the case with other foods rich in omega 3s such as salmon, or eggs, seeds, yogurt, berries and sweet potatoes.
