Anogenital distance is associated with semen quality but not reproductive hormones in 1106 young men from the general population

Abstract Study question Is exposure to maternal perceived stress during pregnancy associated with reproductive function in adult male offspring? Summary answer While maternal perceived stress was prevalent in the first trimesters of pregnancy, our preliminary findings indicate little association with reproductive function in young men. What is known already Though studies in animals point to a connection between prenatal exposure to maternal stress and reproductive function in offspring, the underlying biological mechanisms generating a deficit remain largely unclear. In humans, the few available studies focus on exposure to bereavement or other relatively strong objective stressful life events. Our individual perception of stress is, however, more likely the sum of a complex process involving both the actual input, previous experiences, coping strategies and support from our surroundings. Study design, size, duration Young men and their mothers were identified through records from the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC). Information on exposure, i.e. maternal perceived life and emotional stress, was available from telephone interviews conducted at approximately 30 weeks of gestation (1996 to 2001). Recruitment of the young men lasted from 2017 to 2019 with 1058 participants enrolled in the final FEPOS cohort. Participants/materials, setting, methods Each of the 1058 men in the FEPOS cohort completed an online questionnaire and clinical examinations and provided a blood and semen sample. Information on potential pre- and postnatal confounders was retrieved from the DNBC, the Danish National Patient Register and the Danish Medical Birth Register. We applied negative binomial regression models to examine associations between maternal perceived life and emotional stress scores and semen quality, testicular size and reproductive hormones among the young men. Main results and the role of chance Among the 1052 young men included in preliminary analyses, the majority was exposed to maternal perceived life and/or emotional stress (76% and 83%, respectively) during the first trimesters. Life stress was predominantly related to the actual pregnancy (48%), maternal disease (19%) or occupational conditions (33%). Emotional stress included especially being touchy (58%), sad (38%) or tense (36%), covering aspects of both stress, depression and anxiety. Overall, results indicate little association between maternal stress scores and measures of semen quality and testicular size. Our study involves a large cohort with prospectively collected exposure data and direct measures of several male reproductive outcomes. We applied inverse probability weighting to account for selection into the FEPOS cohort and included a range of a priori selected maternal confounders in our models. Limitations, reasons for caution The male fetus may be particularly sensitive to exposure during the differentiation of reproductive tissues (8–14 weeks of gestation). Our self-reported measures of exposure cover the first 30 weeks of gestation. Absence of association may, thus, be due to a lack of specific information on timing of symptoms. Wider implications of the findings: While our preliminary findings may appear reassuring, further efforts to improve our understanding of maternal stress in relation to fetal health and potential consequences later in life are needed. Trial registration number Not applicable

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A history of cryptorchidism is associated with impaired testicular function in early adulthood: a cross-sectional study of 6376 men from the general population

Human Reproduction ◽

10.1093/humrep/deaa127 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (8) ◽

pp. 1765-1780

Author(s):

Trine Koch ◽

Ann H Hansen ◽

Lærke Priskorn ◽

Jørgen H Petersen ◽

Elisabeth Carlsen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Study Design ◽

Semen Quality ◽

Early Adulthood ◽

Reproductive Hormones ◽

Testicular Function ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Fertility Status ◽

Testis Volume ◽

History Of

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Is there a difference in testicular function in early adulthood between men born with cryptorchidism and men born with normally descended testes? SUMMARY ANSWER In men from the general population, a history of cryptorchidism was associated with lower total testis volume and impaired semen quality as well as altered serum levels of reproductive hormones. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The association between cryptorchidism and testicular function is well documented in studies based on sub-fertile or infertile men recruited from a clinical setting. However, the association has not previously been investigated in men from the general population, who were unselected regarding fertility status. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This is a cross-sectional population-based study of 6376 young Danish men examined from 1996 to 2017. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS This study is based on young men from the greater Copenhagen area, Denmark (median age of 19 years) who were unselected regarding fertility status and semen quality. The young men delivered a semen sample, had a blood sample drawn and underwent a physical examination including assessment of testis volume. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding cryptorchidism at birth, current lifestyle and their mother’s pregnancy, after consulting their mother. The differences in markers of testicular function, including testis volume, semen parameters and reproductive hormones between men with and without a history of cryptorchidism were investigated with multiple linear regression analyses. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The participation rate was 24% for the entire study period. Overall, a history of cryptorchidism was associated with reduced testicular function. In the adjusted models, a history of cryptorchidism was associated with a 3.5 ml lower total testis volume, determined by orchidometer (P < 0.001), 28% lower sperm concentration (95% CI: −37 to −20) and 26% lower inhibin B/FSH ratio (95% CI: −50 to −22) compared to men without a history of cryptorchidism, suggesting a reduced spermatogenetic capacity. Men with a history of cryptorchidism also had a slightly reduced Leydig cell function expressed as a 6% lower testosterone/LH ratio (95% CI: −12 to −0.7). The significant effect sizes and different markers of testicular function pointing in the same direction across the different models based on a large sample size support that the results are not chance findings. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Information on cryptorchidism at birth and treatment modus was obtained by retrospective self-report, and each participant only delivered one semen sample. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The results suggest that men with a history of cryptorchidism could be at increased risk of experiencing fertility problems. However, among these men there is a wide variation in semen quality and further research is needed in order to identify the subgroup of boys born with cryptorchidism who are at the greatest risk of impaired semen quality when reaching adulthood. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The study received financial support from the Research fund of Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital; the European Union (Contract numbers BMH4-CT96-0314, QLK4-CT-1999-01422, QLK4-CT-2002-00603. FP7/2007-2013, DEER Grant agreement no. 212844); the Danish Ministry of Health; the Danish Environmental Protection Agency; A.P. Møller and wife Chastine McKinney Møllers Foundation; and Svend Andersens Foundation. None of the founders had any role in the study design, collection, analysis or interpretation of data, writing of the paper or publication decisions. The authors have nothing to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.

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Meat intake in relation to semen quality and reproductive hormone levels among young men in Spain

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114518003458 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 121 (4) ◽

pp. 451-460 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ana B. Maldonado-Cárceles ◽

Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón ◽

Jaime Mendiola ◽

Jesús Vioque ◽

Niels Jørgensen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Semen Quality ◽

Linear Trend ◽

Young Men ◽

Reproductive Hormones ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Reproductive Hormone ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Linear Trend ◽

Meat Intake ◽

Hormone Levels

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess the associations of intake of different types of meat with semen parameters and reproductive hormones in healthy young men. This cross-sectional study included 206 men, 18–23 years, from Southern Spain. All men completed a validated FFQ, underwent a physical examination, and provided blood and semen samples. Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate the associations between meat intake with semen quality parameters and reproductive hormones. Total meat intake was unrelated to semen quality or reproductive hormone levels. When subgroups of meat were separately considered, however, shellfish intake was positively related to progressive motility. The adjusted percentages of progressively motile spermatozoa for men in increasing quartiles of shellfish intake were 45·2, 42·0, 49·4 and 53·2 % with a significant linear trend across quartiles (Ptrend≤0·001). In contrast, men who consumed organ meats had significantly lower progressive sperm motility (51·5 v. 42·8 %; P = 0·001) and higher luteinising hormone levels (4·0 v. 4·6 IU/l; P = 0·03) compared with men who did not consume organ meats. Intake of shellfish and organ meats was low in this population, however. Given the scarcity of data on the relation between specific types of meat with semen quality and reproductive hormone levels, additional research is needed to confirm or refute these findings.

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