Can Fat-Burning Shots Boost Fertility? Comparing Weight-Loss Injections vs. Healthy Habits for Obese Men With Low Sperm Health
- Conditions
- Obesity-related Male Infertility
- Interventions
- Registration Number
- NCT07179120
- Brief Summary
Why is this study being done? Obesity can harm men's fertility by lowering sperm quality and hormone levels, making it harder to have children. Weight loss through diet and exercise helps, but it's often hard to stick with. New medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists, like semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), help people lose weight and improve health. Early studies suggest these drugs might also boost sperm health in obese men, but more proof is needed. This study tests if these drugs can safely improve fertility in obese men who are having trouble conceiving.
What will happen in this study?
This is a 48-week study at several hospitals in China. About 180 men will be randomly assigned to one of three groups:
Group 1: Standard lifestyle changes, like a healthy diet and exercise, guided by experts.
Group 2: Weekly injections of semaglutide, starting low and increasing as tolerated.
Group 3: Weekly injections of tirzepatide, starting low and increasing as tolerated.
All men will have regular check-ups, including blood tests, semen analysis, and weight measurements. We will track sperm quality, hormone levels, weight loss, and whether their partners get pregnant naturally. The study includes an 8-week adjustment period, 24 weeks of treatment, and 16 weeks of follow-up.
Who can join this study? Men aged 20-45 who are married, obese (BMI 28 or higher or waist size 90 cm or more), and have been trying to have a baby for at least a year without success due to low sperm count or poor sperm movement. Their female partners must be under 40 and have no major fertility issues. Men must be willing to attend visits and provide samples. People with serious health problems, recent use of similar drugs, or other causes of infertility (like genetic issues) cannot join.
How long will this study last? The full study lasts 48 weeks (about 11 months), with visits every 4-8 weeks, plus monthly phone check-ins for pregnancy updates.
What are the possible benefits and risks? Benefits: If the drugs work, men may lose weight, improve sperm quality, and have a better chance of their partners getting pregnant naturally. They might also feel healthier overall. Risks: Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea from the drugs, which usually improve over time. Rare risks include pancreas inflammation or gallbladder issues. Lifestyle changes might cause minor injuries from exercise. All side effects will be monitored closely, and participants can quit anytime. Insurance covers any study-related harm.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- NOT_YET_RECRUITING
- Sex
- Male
- Target Recruitment
- 180
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(1) Married men aged 20-45 (considering childbearing age and ensuring fertility requirements), with female spouses <40 years old and no significant infertility factors.
(2) Meeting China's adult obesity criteria: BMI ≥28 kg/m² or meeting central obesity criteria (waist circumference ≥90 cm).
(3) Meeting WHO diagnostic criteria for male infertility: Failure to achieve pregnancy after ≥1 year of unprotected normal sexual activity, diagnosed as male-factor infertility after basic evaluation (e.g., oligospermia, asthenospermia, or high sperm deformity rate; excluding azoospermia), with essentially normal fertility function in the female spouse.
(4) Abnormal semen analysis: Baseline semen testing shows low sperm concentration or motility (e.g., sperm concentration <15×10⁶/mL or progressive motility <32%).
(5) Willing to undergo randomization and corresponding interventions, able to attend regular follow-ups, and provide semen and blood samples.
(6) Informed consent to participate in the study and signing of the informed consent form.
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(1) Other clear causes affecting male fertility: e.g., obstructive azoospermia, severe oligospermia (sperm concentration <5×10⁶/mL), history of bilateral cryptorchidism surgery, genetic abnormalities (chromosomal anomalies such as Klinefelter syndrome, Y-chromosome microdeletions), severe reproductive tract damage, or infection history.
(2) Spouse has significant infertility factors (e.g., bilateral tubal blockage, severe ovulation disorders) without effective treatment, which may severely impact pregnancy outcomes.
(3) Previous bariatric surgery (e.g., gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy) or current use of other weight-loss medications (e.g., orlistat), or weight fluctuation >5% within 3 months before enrollment.
(4) Endocrine diseases affecting reproduction or sexual function: e.g., uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c >9%) or insulin-treated diabetes, clinically significant thyroid dysfunction, hyperprolactinemia.
(5) Severe systemic diseases: Including significant cardiovascular diseases (unstable angina, class III-IV heart failure, etc.), active liver disease (transaminases >2× upper limit of normal), severe renal impairment (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73m²), etc., making participation in clinical trials inappropriate.
(6) History of acute pancreatitis; personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) (GLP-1RA is contraindicated in these cases)
; or conditions unsuitable for weight-loss medications, such as severe hepatic/renal impairment or gallstones.
(7) Use of GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy within the past 6 months. (8) Received other fertility-improving treatments within the past 6 months that cannot be discontinued (e.g., gonadotropins, clomiphene, testosterone preparations, or other drugs affecting semen such as exogenous testosterone or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors).
(9) Alcohol or drug abuse. (10) Psychiatric or cognitive disorders preventing cooperation with follow-up. (11) Any other condition deemed by the investigator to interfere with trial results or increase participant risk.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Semaglutide Injection Therapy (Intervention A Group) Semaglutide (Rybelsus®) Participants receive subcutaneous semaglutide injections titrated from 0.25mg to 1.0mg weekly over 8 weeks, maintained through week 32. Combined with standardized lifestyle intervention (identical to Control Group). Dose adjustments follow predefined tolerability criteria. Tirzepatide Injection Therapy (Intervention B Group) Tirzepatide Participants receive subcutaneous tirzepatide injections titrated from 2.5mg to 15mg weekly over 12 weeks, maintained through week 32. Combined with standardized lifestyle intervention (identical to Control Group). Dose adjustments follow predefined tolerability criteria Lifestyle Modification Management (Control Group) Standardized Lifestyle Intervention Participants receive standardized intensive lifestyle intervention including personalized dietary guidance (calorie-restricted Mediterranean diet), structured aerobic/resistance exercise protocol (150 mins/week), and behavioral coaching. No pharmacotherapy is administered. Interventions are delivered through weekly sessions for first 12 weeks followed by biweekly sessions.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change from Baseline in Sperm Concentration (million/mL) at Week 32 of Intervention Baseline and Week 32 Sperm concentration is measured by standardized laboratory analysis of semen samples. Values are reported in million sperm cells per milliliter (million/mL). Higher values indicate better spermatogenesis function. The World Health Organization (WHO) reference lower limit for normal concentration is ≥15 million/mL. Change is calculated as: (Week 32 value - Baseline value)
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change from Baseline in Total Sperm Count at Week 32 Baseline and Week 32 Total sperm count is calculated from semen volume and sperm concentration. Values are reported in millions. Higher values indicate better spermatogenesis function.
Change from Baseline in Sperm Motility (Progressive + Non-progressive) at Week 32 Baseline and Week 32 Sperm motility assesses the percentage of sperm moving (progressive + non-progressive). Values range from 0% to 100%. Higher percentages indicate better sperm function.
Change from Baseline in Serum Total Testosterone Level at Week 32 Baseline and Week 32 Serum total testosterone is measured via chemiluminescence immunoassay. Reported in nanomoles per liter (nmol/L). Normal adult male range is typically 10-35 nmol/L.
Change from Baseline in Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Level at Week 32 Baseline, Week 32 Serum FSH concentration is measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay, reported in international units per liter (IU/L). It assesses pituitary-gonadal axis function. Normal reference range for adult males is typically 1.5-12.4 IU/L.
Change from Baseline in Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Level at Week 32 Baseline, Week 32 Serum LH concentration is measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay, reported in international units per liter (IU/L). It assesses pituitary-gonadal axis function. Normal reference range for adult males is typically 1.7-8.6 IU/L.
Change from Baseline in Body Mass Index (BMI) at Week 32 Baseline, Week 16, Week 32 Body weight is measured using a calibrated digital scale, reported in kilograms (kg). Change is calculated as post-intervention value minus baseline value. A negative value indicates weight loss.
Change from Baseline in Waist Circumference at Week 32 Baseline, Week 16, Week 32 Waist circumference is measured at the midpoint between the lower margin of the last palpable rib and the top of the iliac crest using a non-elastic tape, reported in centimeters (cm). It assesses central obesity. A value ≥90 cm in Asian males indicates increased health risk.
Number of Participants Achieving Natural Pregnancy Within 48 Weeks Monthly during the study, up to Week 48 Natural pregnancy is confirmed by a positive serum β-hCG test (\>5 mIU/mL) followed by transvaginal ultrasound verification of an intrauterine gestational sac. It is reported as a binary outcome (Yes/No) for each participant.
Number of Participants with Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) as Assessed by CTCAE v5.0 From first dose until 30 days after last dose (up to Week 48+30) All adverse events occurring after the initiation of treatment are assessed by the investigator for severity (Grade 1-5 Mild to Death) and relationship to study intervention according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0.