Rasha Zenasni: Fathers’ Weight May Impact Embryo Quality and Pregnancy Outcome
Rasha Zenasni, Laser Technician at Blooming Center, shared a post on LinkedIn about a paper by Andreu Quintana-Vehí et al. published in Fertility and Sterility:
“Paternal obesity: the other half of the embryonic equation
For a long time, it was thought that the ‘youth’ of the oocyte could compensate for the weaknesses of the male partner. A major study published this month in Fertility and Sterility (ASRM, March 2026) has shaken up this certainty.
The study at a glance:
By analysing more than 2,000 egg donation cycles via time-lapse imaging, the researchers isolated the impact of the father’s weight on the early development of the embryo.
The conclusions are clear:
- Kinetic retardation: Embryos born to obese fathers (BMI > 30) divide more slowly from the first hours.
- Morphological quality: A significant decrease in the level of blastocysts from ‘Grade A’ to D5.
- Epigenetic memory: Beyond genetics, obesity alters sperm DNA methylation, disrupting the activation of the embryonic genome.
What you need to remember:
In assisted reproduction, metabolic preparation is not just a women’s issue. The optimization of the male lifestyle is a direct lever to improve embryonic quality, even in the most advanced protocols.
Source: ‘Paternal BMI and Early Embryonic Morphokinetics: A Large-Scale Study in Oocyte Donation Cycles’, Fertility and Sterility, Vol. 125, March 2026.”
Silvia Alvarez, Presidente at Greater Paris Metropolitan Region, shared Rasha Zenasni’s post, adding:
“Very interesting study to help highlight the important role of men’s health on the impact on fertility and assisted reproduction
The semen analysis is not enough, we need comprehensive care
Dr. Silvia Alvarez, Health for All in Infertility, W. Akakpo, F. Lamazou, O. Hoffman, A. Mekinian, M. Combed”
Title: Male obesity impairs early embryonic development and increases miscarriage risk in oocyte donation cycles
Authors: Andreu Quintana-Vehí, Irene Miguel-Escalada, Debora Scaraboto, Filippo Zambelli, Daniel Mataró, Maria José Zamora, Maria Oliver-Bonet, Aïda Pujol, Amelia Rodriguez-Aranda, Mina Popovic
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