Seminal plasma adipokine levels are correlated with functional characteristics of spermatozoa.

OBJECTIVE: To study adipokines as a potential link between obesity and male subfertility.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of subjects stratified into subgroups according to body mass index (BMI): normal-weight (18.50-24.99 kg/m(2)), overweight (25-29.99 kg/m(2)), and obese (>30 kg/m(2)).

SETTING: Leipzig, Germany from 2007 to 2011.

PATIENT(S): Ninety-six male volunteers without spermatogenesis-associated diseases.

INTERVENTION(S): None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Semen parameters, reproductive hormones in serum, and leptin, adiponectin, resistin, chemerin, progranulin, vaspin, and visfatin concentrations in serum and seminal plasma.

RESULT(S): All measured adipokines were detectable in human seminal plasma. The levels of progranulin, visfatin, and vaspin were statistically significantly higher in seminal plasma than in serum. An increase in body weight was associated with decreased levels of seminal plasma progranulin. Additionally, overweight/obese men had statistically significantly lower progranulin levels in seminal plasma than normal weight men. Adiponectin and progranulin concentrations in seminal plasma statistically significantly positively correlated with sperm concentration, sperm count, and total normomorphic spermatozoa.

CONCLUSION(S): Adipokines are differently regulated in human male reproductive tract compared with the peripheral blood, and they could influence sperm functionality.