The effect of obesity on testicular function by insulin-like factor 3, inhibin B, and leptin concentrations in obese adolescents according to pubertal stages

ObjectivesThe aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of obesity on testicular function by evaluating reproductive hormones, inhibinB, insulin-like 3(INSL3), and leptin, in obese and non-obese adolescents according to pubertal Tanner stages.Design and methodsEighty adolescent boys were grouped (n = 20) as; Group1: obese-Tanner2, Group2: non-obese-Tanner2, Group3: obese-Tanner4, Group4: non-obese-Tanner4. Serum INSL3, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone binding globulin, inhibin B and leptin levels were assessed in all groups.ResultsINSL3 levels were significantly lower in obese adolescents compared to non-obese boys (p = 0.003, Tanner2) and (p = 0.031, Tanner4). There was a negative correlation between INSL3 and leptin (r = −0.468, p = 0.001). The negative correlation between INSL3 and BMISDS indicates that pubertal obesity leads to Leydig cell impairment.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated for the first time in the literature that obesity effects testicular Leydig cell function starting from Tanner stage 2.