Obestatin in male reproduction and infertility

Obestatin is a 23-amino acid peptide hormone secreted by the stomach and is found in several tissues all over the body, such as the gastric mucosa, spleen, mammary gland, plasma as well as in the testicular Leydig cells. Obestatin seems to operate as part of the integrated gut-brain network acting as an anorectic hormone, reducing food intake and reversing body weight gain. Besides the expressions of obestatin in male reproductive tissues, it is also shown to increase testosterone secretions, thus ameliorating testicular functions. In the present scenario where the increasing prevalence in obesity is considered as one of the major causatives of worldwide declining trend of semen quality, molecules like obestatin playing roles in both metabolic and reproductive functions find importance in management of obesity-induced male infertility or subfertility. The present review article aims to provide updated concepts on obestatin and its mode of actions, and its role in modulation of male reproductive functions.