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Sons of fat mothers 'could be less fertile'
Last updated at 00:52am on 27.08.07Overweight women may have sons who are less fertile, doctors have warned.
Research shows men born to such mothers may have sperm of poorer quality.
Although it is well known that obesity can affect a woman's chances of pregnancy, this is the first time a link has been made between weight and the fertility of the next generation.
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Overweight women may have sons who are less fertile, doctors have warned
The researchers tracked the health of more than 300 women and their sons.
Although the majority of the women were of normal weight when they became pregnant, 25 had body mass indexes classed as overweight or obese.
Tests showed their sons tended to have slightly lower concentrations of sperm, as well as fewer mobile sperm.
However, the differences were so small that the researchers could not be sure they were not down to chance.
The team, from Aarhus University in Denmark, said further studies should be carried out.
They added that it was possible that higher levels of the hormone oestrogen, associated with being overweight, might harm the development of male foetus reproductive organs.
