BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of male body mass index (BMI) on the retrieval of sperm from azoospermic patients who were undergoing testicular sperm extraction (TESE).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included retrospective data of male patients suffering from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Age, BMI, testicular volumes, the serum concentration of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and prolactin were investigated and collected.

RESULTS: A total of 75 azoospermic males were evaluated between 2014 and 2019, including 35 patients (46.7%) with positive sperm retrieval. The majority of patients (57.3%) had normal BMI (between 20 kg/m² and 25 kg/m²) or first degree obesity (from 25 kg/m² to 30 kg/m²). No statistically significant correlation between BMI and positive sperm retrieval or hormone levels (LH, FSH, SHBG, prolactin) were found. However, lower serum testosterone levels were observed in patients with higher BMI (P=0.035). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that none of the hormones could potentially predict the positive outcome of TESE.

CONCLUSIONS: The hormonal levels or patient’s BMI could not predict positive sperm retrieval outcome, however a negative correlation between serum testosterone and BMI levels was calculated implicating influence on fertility.

Keywords: azoospermia, Body Mass Index, Obesity, Sperm Retrieval, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, prolactin, Spermatozoa, Testis