Obese dads: unfit sperm
Word Health Organisation figures show that 75% of Australian adult males are overweight or obese, greatly exceeding the global average rate of 48%. Image: JerryB7/iStockphoto Melbourne scientists studying the impact obesity has on pregnancy, are urging men to get ‘match fit’ before conceiving to assist with foetal development.Reproductive experts from the University of Melbourne’s Department of Zoology have discovered that a father’s obesity negatively impacts sperm, resulting in smaller foetuses, poor pregnancy success and reduced placental development. While the health risks surrounding obesity and pregnancy have largely been centred on overweight mothers, scientists from the University of Melbourne are putting the onus on men to shape up. Word Health Organisation figures show that 75% of Australian adult males are overweight or obese, greatly exceeding the global average rate of 48%. The findings will be presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Endocrine Society of Australia and the Society for Reproductive Biology 2012, starting...