Does male obesity play a role in fertility?

Several studies have demonstrated a dramatic increase in sperm DNA fragmentation in obese men, and this can lead to a significant reduction in sperm quality. In addition, there may be an increase in the miscarriage rate for men with high-level fragmented DNA damage. Increased sperm DNA fragmentation due to oxidative stress may be due to several factors: men over age 50; possibly cigarette smoke, excessive exposure to heat; obesity and numerous environmental toxins. Some of this sperm DNA fragmentation may be reversed.