An interventional study of Placebo and inulin in Obesity-related Poor Sperm Quality and Gut Microbiota, sponsored by Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Completed at 1 site in China. Open to male participants aged 18 Years to 60 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-18.
Sponsored by Huazhong University of Science and Technology · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
Obesity-related poor sperm quality is a significant public health issue, acting as a major contributor to male infertility. Dietary intervention has emerged as an effective strategy to manage obesity and improve sperm quality. Soluble dietary fiber (SDF), an essential nutritional component, plays a crucial role in regulating host health. Notably, insufficient SDF intake has been associated with both obesity and low sperm motility. However, the effect of SDF supplementation on sperm quality in males with obesity remains unclear. Thus, we conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled study to investigate the effect of SDF supplementation on sperm quality in males with obesity.
Huazhong University of Science and Technology is the lead sponsor of 241 studies on the registry; 60 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
15 g maltodextrin in a sachet once daily for 12 weeks.
Dietary Supplement: Placebo
15 g inulin in a sachet once daily for 12 weeks.
Dietary Supplement: inulin
Maltodextrin
Inulin is a kind of soluble dietary fiber.
The sperm quality of obese males
The sperm quality includes the motility, concentration and morphology of sperm and these parameters are all measured by Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis.
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks and 12 weeks.
Changes in the levels of sex hormones
Changes in the levels of sex hormones, including Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Estradiol (E2), Progesterone (P), Testosterone (T), and Prolactin (PRL).
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks
Changes in sexual function
The sexual function will be assessed by Brief Male Sexual Function Questionnaire.
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks
Changes in DNA integrity of sperm
Changes in the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) will be measured by sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA).
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks
Changes in the gut microbiota
Changes in the composition, diversity, and function of gut microbiota in feces will be measured by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks
Changes in the levels of bile acids in plasma
Changes in the levels of bile acids in plasma will be evaluated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks
Changes in the levels of fasting plasma TC, TG, LDL, and HDL
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks
Change in body weight
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks
Change in BMI
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks
Change in waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks
Change in body fat composition
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks
Change in the levels fasting plasma glucose
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks
This study is completed, as verified in May 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Huazhong University of Science and Technology