Abstract. Androgens and estrogens play a key role regarding sexual life and reproduction. Along with hypotestosteronemia, obese men exhibit a 2-fold increase in estradiol concentration, adversely infl uencing these parameters. Estrogens and adipokines also infl uence bone metabolism, exerting a direct effect on vitamin D, calcium homeostasis and bone health. Bariatric procedures normalize some sex hormones, and may reverse several obesity-related conditions. Estrogens levels may remain elevated postoperatively, and despite its protective effect on the skeleton, bariatric patients are more prone to fractures when compared to the general population. Multiple nutritional defi cits are common after bariatric interventions, and hypozincemia is the most likely to negatively infl uence reproductive parameters. Zinc is an essential element for normal spermatogenesis, and severe hypozincemia is associated with infertility in both sexes. Vitamin D also acts as a regulator of several enzymes involved in steroid hormone production, and its defi ciency could impair reproductive function. Few studies have addressed changes in sex hormones and in reproductive function in the male bariatric population, as they represent a minority of surgical candidates. Although obesity rates and burden are similar for both sexes, society is more lenient with the obese male. Moreover, 73 % of overweight/obese men are satisfi ed with their health, causing body weight and obesity-related health problems to increase when they opt for bariatric surgery. In the present article, we discuss shifts of sex hormones before and after bariatric surgery, surgery impact on semen quality, skeletal health and nutrients, and new research directions regarding links between vitamin D, zinc, androgens and reproduction.
Vitamin D metabolism, sex hormones, and male reproductive function