Green tea's impact on fertility hormones and oxidative stress markers in obese males with different gonadal statuses in Onitsha, Nigeria.

Abstract

Objectives: This study assessed the effects of 12-week green tea supplementation on fertility hormones and oxidative stress markers in obese males with varying gonadal statuses. Design: A 12-week interventional study measuring hormonal and oxidative stress changes pre- and post-supplementation. Setting: Conducted in Onitsha, Anambra State, involving community-dwelling obese males categorised by gonadal status. Participants: One hundred obese males (aged 29-50) were categorised into Eugonadism, Compensatory Hypogonadism, and Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism groups. Normal-weight eugonadic males served as controls. Participants were selected based on BMI and gonadal hormone levels. Interventions: Participants consumed two bags of green tea infused in 150 mL of boiled water daily for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected at baseline, 1 month, and 2 months. Hormonal levels: luteinising hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), prolactin, testosterone, and oestradiol were measured using ELISA, while oxidative stress markers: malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were analysed colourimetrically. Main outcome measures: changes in oxidative stress markers and reproductive hormone levels post-supplementation. Results: Obese participants had significantly higher MDA and lower TAC and GPx than controls (p<0.05). Green tea significantly reduced MDA, oestradiol, and prolactin, whereas it increased TAC, GPx, and testosterone (p < 0.05). LH and FSH were normalised in Eugonadic and Compensatory Hypogonadic groups but remained elevated in Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism. Conclusions: Green tea supplementation reduced oxidative stress and improved hormonal balance in obese males, suggesting its potential for managing obesity-related reproductive dysfunction. Further studies should explore long-term effects.