Reproductive and metabolic hormone associations in adult Samoan males with and without obesity

Journal Article by Richard Bribiescas, Kyle Wiley, Amelia Sancilio, Catherine Panter-Brick, Satupaitea Viali, Muagututia Reupena, Take Naseri, Nicola Hawley, Geralyn Messerlian, Stephen McGarvey. Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, 14, 2026.
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Summary

Background

Obesity is a global health challenge prevalent in Samoa. However, the influence of obesity on adult male reproductive health in Samoa is poorly understood.

Objectives

To determine if reproductive hormone levels differed between adult Samoan males with and without obesity.

Methodology

Reproductive hormones (follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], inhibin b) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were compared between non-diabetic adult males in Samoa with and without obesity to test the hypothesis that obesity is associated with compromised reproductive function in this population. Metabolic hormones (insulin, leptin, adiponectin), fasting glucose, age, and anthropometrics were assessed and included in multivariable models.

Results

Males with obesity exhibited higher FSH (P = 0.002), lower inhibin b (P = 0.004) and lower SHBG (P < 0.0001). LH levels were similar (P = 0.43). Significant associations were evident between LH and FSH (obesity: r2 = 0.19, P = 0.003; without obesity: r2 = 0.24, P = 0.001), inhibin b and FSH (obesity: r2 = 0.21, P = 0.002; without obesity: r2 = 0.02, P = 0.41), and LH and SHBG (obesity: r2 = 0.25, P = 0.0005; without obesity: r2 0.01, P = 0.49). Multivariable models revealed insulin as an important contributor to inhibin b levels in all males.

Conclusions

Obesity status is an important factor in variation in male reproductive hormone profiles in adult Samoan males.

Implications

Obesity has potentially negative effects on male reproductive hormone function in Samoa. While the effects on male fertility remain unclear, further research is merited.