Effect of obesity on androgen receptor and androgen levels in the serum of women with infertility in Babylon, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Infertility is the inability to get pregnant after engaging in unprotected sexual activity for at least a year. Obesity and overweight are terms used to describe abnormal or excessive weight growth that is harmful to one’s health. Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure the androgen receptor (AR), total and free testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfates (DHEA-S) levels in the serum of Iraqi women who were having trouble getting pregnant and study the change of these parameters in the case of obesity and infertility. Materials and Methods: The case–control group was made up of 45 additional, presumably healthy women, whereas the sick group was made up of 45 obese infertile women. A study was carried out in the Babylon teaching hospital for maternity and children in Hilla city and private clinics from July to January 2022. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to evaluate the serum concentrations of DHEA-S, total testosterone, and free testosterone (ELISA). SPSS software was used to conduct the statistical analysis. Results: A considerable drop in total testosterone and AR levels, infertile women exhibited significantly greater serum levels of free testosterone and DHEA-S than the control group (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Infertile women had considerably lower serum levels of total testosterone and ARs and significantly higher serum levels of free testosterone and DHEA-S. On the basis of the results of this investigation, obesity participates in the pathogenesis of infertility.