Mapping the Landscape of Obesity Effects on Male Reproductive Function:
A Bibliometric Study
Authors: Wei Yanhong , Liao Meihua , Lu Yiming , Lei Xiaocan , Wang Junli , Luo Xiaoqiong , Hu Linlin 
Published: February 2024

Background:

Due to changes in lifestyle and dietary habits, the global population with
obesity is increasing gradually, resulting in a significant rise in the number of individuals having obesity.
Obesity is caused by an imbalance between energy intake and consumption, leading to excessive
fat accumulation, which interferes with normal human metabolism. It is also associated with cardiovascular
disease, metabolic syndrome, male reproductive endocrine regulation disorders, systemic
and local inflammatory reactions, excessive oxidative stress, and apoptosis. All these factors can
damage the internal environment for sperm generation and maturation, resulting in male sexual dysfunction,
a decline in sperm quality, and lower fertility. This study analyzes the trends and priorities
of the effects of obesity on male reproductive disorders from a bibliometric perspective.

Methods:

This study uses the Web of Science as the statistical source, covering all time spans.
Tools like Web of Science, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace are used to analyze countries, institutions,
authors, journals, and keywords in the field. Total publications, total citations, and average
number of citations are selected for statistics.

Results:

The results show that the research on the impact of obesity on male reproductive function
can be roughly divided into three stages: the initial stage, the slow development stage, and
the rapid development stage. Our statistical scope includes 463 highly relevant articles that we
have screened. We found that the journal with the most publications in this field is Andrologia,
and the institution with the highest total citations is the University of Utah. The most influential
countries, institutions, and authors in this field are the United States, the University of Utah, and
Carrell, Douglas. Currently, research related to the impact of obesity on male reproduction focuses
mainly on three aspects: biochemistry, molecular biology, and reproductive biology. The
keyword explosion results indicate that sperm, obesity, and male reproduction are at the forefront
and trends of future research in this field. There has been a shift from basic biochemical
and molecular research to research on molecular mechanisms relying on omics technologies.
However, we have observed that the number of papers published in 2022 is lower than in 2021,
indicating a growth interruption during this period. Considering that this deviation may be due
to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it may hinder the progress of certain experiments in
2022. In recent years, China has rapidly developed research in this field. However, the average
citation rate is relatively low, indicating the need for Chinese scholars to improve the quality of
their articles further. Based on our research and in the context of global obesity, men are at risk
of increased infertility. Addressing this issue relies on our continued research into the mechanisms
of obesity-related male reproductive disorders. Over the past forty-three years, with the
contributions of scientists worldwide, research in this field has flourished.

Conclusion:

The impact of obesity on male reproductive disorders has been extensively studied.
Currently, research in this field primarily focuses on male sperm function, sperm quality, and
the effects or mechanisms of cells on male reproduction. Future trends in this field should concentrate
on the relationship between male fertility and energy metabolism, as well as the endocrine
function of adipose tissue. This study comprehensively analyzes the current research status
and global trends in obesity and male reproductive disorders. We also discuss the future developments
in this field, making it easier for researchers to understand its developmental history,
current status, and trends, providing valuable reference for effective exploration in this area.