Exploratory Analysis in the Differences in Blood Serum and Seminal Plasma of Adipose-Tissue Related Peptides in Obese and Non-Obese Men and Their Correlations With Semen Parameters.

Objectives: Evaluating the relationship between circulating metabolic biomarkers and semen parameters in obese, overweight and normal-weight patients. Methods: Patients were recruited at the "Andrology and Pathophysiology of Reproduction Unit", in Santa Maria Goretti Hospital. Divided into three groups were 98 participants (obese, overweight and normal-weight patients) according to BMI and were analyzed for three adipokines and six hormone peptides in blood serum and seminal plasma using Luminex assay. Standard semen analysis was performed for ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility, morphology and leukocytes. Results: In all groups of subjects, we observed a higher concentration of blood serum c-peptide, GIP, PAI-1, leptin, ghrelin and GLP-1 in comparison to seminal plasma; differently, higher levels in seminal plasma were observed for insulin and visfatin. In comparison to the non-obese subjects, obese subjects showed a higher blood serum concentration of c-peptide, GLP-1, GIP and leptin and a higher concentration of seminal plasma of GIP and insulin. Total sperm count, progressive motility, motility, and atypical forms directly correlated with PAI-1 and visfatin, whereas GLP-1 directly correlated only with total progressive motility. Conclusion: Obese men showed a different pattern of blood serum and seminal plasma adipokines and hormone peptides concentrations in comparison to normal-weight men. Furthermore, these molecules correlated with functional seminal parameters. Our findings support the option to consider these molecules as new biomarkers and pharmacological targets for a new therapeutic approach in male infertility. However, further studies identifying other potential biomarkers of male infertility with important clinical implication and characterizing their mechanisms of action are mandatory.

Pregnancy complications in infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: updated evidence.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common female disorder with a pathogenesis still today not completely known. To the present, PCOS is considered more than just a reproductive disorder since several metabolic consequences that could affect women's health during different stages of reproductive and post-reproductive life were reported. The aim of the current review was to evaluate present evidence-based data regarding the pregnancy complications in infertile patients with PCOS. An extensive literature search until February 2018 was performed in PubMed, Medline, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Outcomes were classified in: early pregnancy complications, late pregnancy complications, perinatal complications, offspring health and long-term offspring and maternal health. Even if the exact mechanisms involved are still unclear, women with PCOS have an increased risk of pregnancy-related complications, such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), preeclampsia (PE), premature delivery and caesarean section. Moreover, the offspring of women with PCOS are also at increased risk of congenital anomalies and hospitalization in childhood. Further studies are needed to study the mechanism underlying pregnancy complications in PCOS and to identify any interventions to reduce the risk of obstetric and neonatal risks in women affected by PCOS and in their offspring.