Low Sperm Count Tied to New Health Risks
Men with low sperm count have an increased risk of poor metabolic, cardiovascular, and bone health, according to findings from a recent study.
Results of the study were presented on March 18, 2018, at ENDO 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.
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Alberto Ferlin, MD, PhD, and colleagues evaluated 5177 male members of infertile couples. Semen analysis and testis ultrasound were performed in all participants, and biological determinations for glucose and lipid metabolism were recorded.
In addition, participants with a total sperm count of less than 10 million underwent genetic testing, and those with hypogonadism underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for bone mineral density (BMD).
Findings revealed that men with low sperm count, defined as less than 39 million/ejaculate, have a 12-times higher risk of hypogonadism (odds ratio [OR] 12.2). This risk was found to be highest in men with a total sperm count of less than 10 million/ejaculate, as well as those with genetic causes, history of cryptorchidism, and idiopathic forms.
Furthermore, low sperm count was also associated with higher body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index scores and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Metabolic syndrome was found to be more prevalent in this patient population as well (OR 1.246).
In men with hypogonadism, low BMD and osteoporosis/osteopenia (51%) were prevalent.
“This large study suggests that low sperm count is associated with poorer metabolic, cardiovascular and bone health,” the researchers wrote. “Hypogonadism is mainly involved in this association, but low sperm count in itself is a marker of general health.”
“Infertile patients have the great opportunity to benefit from the identification of accurate diagnostic and prognostic markers, and clinically important comorbidities and risk factors,” they added.
—Christina Vogt
Reference:
Ferlin A, Garolla A, Ghezzi M, et al. Semen quality and reproductive function as markers of general male health: a prospective cohort study on 5177 men. Paper presented at: ENDO 2018; March 17-20, 2018; Chicago, IL. http://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/ - !/4482/presentation/6622.