Volume 49, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Research in Medicine 2025, 49(3): 80-90 |
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Akbari R, Davari F. Fifty Years of Obesity and Infertility Research: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Review. Research in Medicine 2025; 49 (3) :80-90
URL: http://pejouhesh.sbmu.ac.ir/article-1-3499-en.html
URL: http://pejouhesh.sbmu.ac.ir/article-1-3499-en.html
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Iran. , rakbari@sina.tums.ac.ir
Abstract: (263 Views)
Background and Aim: Obesity and infertility share a complex and multifactorial relationship that significantly affects individuals of reproductive age. The global rise in obesity prevalence over recent decades has raised serious concerns regarding its adverse impact on reproductive health and fertility outcomes. Although numerous studies have explored the biological and clinical links between obesity and infertility, the overall evolution, research trends, and knowledge structure of this field have not been comprehensively evaluated. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis of research on obesity and infertility published over the past five decades, to map the scientific landscape, identify major research trends, and highlight emerging themes.
Methods: Data were extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) for articles published from 1985 to 2024, yielding a total of 2,295 articles for analysis. Original research articles in English were included, while review articles and conference papers were excluded. Bibliometric methods, including co-citation and co-occurrence analyses, were performed using VOSviewer software for data visualization and analysis.
Results: The findings revealed an exponential increase in publications in this field. Co-citation analysis identified five main research clusters: (1) Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, and infertility; (2) Molecular and cellular mechanisms of obesity’s effect on reproductive function; (3) Obesity and male infertility; (4) Maternal obesity, assisted reproductive treatments, and pregnancy outcomes; and (5) Risk factors, public health, diet, and stress. Co-occurrence analysis confirmed these research foci through three clusters: (1) The impact of obesity on female fertility and outcomes of assisted reproductive treatments; (2) Obesity, sperm health, and male fertility; and (3) PCOS: metabolic, fertility, and hormonal dimensions. While substantial research exists in clusters such as PCOS and assisted reproduction, areas like fundamental cellular-molecular mechanisms and the role of lifestyle factors remain underexplored and warrant further investigation.
Methods: Data were extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) for articles published from 1985 to 2024, yielding a total of 2,295 articles for analysis. Original research articles in English were included, while review articles and conference papers were excluded. Bibliometric methods, including co-citation and co-occurrence analyses, were performed using VOSviewer software for data visualization and analysis.
Results: The findings revealed an exponential increase in publications in this field. Co-citation analysis identified five main research clusters: (1) Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, and infertility; (2) Molecular and cellular mechanisms of obesity’s effect on reproductive function; (3) Obesity and male infertility; (4) Maternal obesity, assisted reproductive treatments, and pregnancy outcomes; and (5) Risk factors, public health, diet, and stress. Co-occurrence analysis confirmed these research foci through three clusters: (1) The impact of obesity on female fertility and outcomes of assisted reproductive treatments; (2) Obesity, sperm health, and male fertility; and (3) PCOS: metabolic, fertility, and hormonal dimensions. While substantial research exists in clusters such as PCOS and assisted reproduction, areas like fundamental cellular-molecular mechanisms and the role of lifestyle factors remain underexplored and warrant further investigation.
Keywords: Infertility, Obesity, Bibliometrics, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Co-citation Analysis, Co-occurrence Analysis
Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
Gynecological and Obstetrical
Received: 2025/10/13 | Accepted: 2026/01/10 | Published: 2026/02/16
Received: 2025/10/13 | Accepted: 2026/01/10 | Published: 2026/02/16
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