scholarly journals Use of e-cigarettes associated with lower sperm counts in a cross-sectional study of young men from the general population

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 1693-1701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stine Agergaard Holmboe ◽  
Lærke Priskorn ◽  
Tina Kold Jensen ◽  
Niels Erik Skakkebaek ◽  
Anna-Maria Andersson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Testicular Function ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cigarette Smokers ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Sperm Counts

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Are use of e-cigarettes and snuff associated with testicular function as previously shown for conventional cigarettes and marijuana? SUMMARY ANSWER Use of e-cigarettes is associated with reduced semen quality but not with higher serum testosterone level as observed for conventional cigarette use. Snuff use was not associated with markers of testicular function. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Cigarette smoking has previously been associated with higher testosterone levels and impaired semen quality, whereas it is unresolved whether use of e-cigarettes or snuff influence the testicular function. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This cross-sectional population-based study included 2008 men with information on cigarette and marijuana use (enrolled between 2012 and 2018), among whom 1221 men also had information on e-cigarette and snuff use (enrolled between 2015 and 2018). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Men (median age 19.0 years) from the general population provided a semen and blood sample and filled out a questionnaire on lifestyle including information on smoking behaviour. Associations between different types of smoking (e-cigarettes, snuff, marijuana and cigarettes) and reproductive hormones (total and free testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, LH, oestradiol and ratios of inhibin B/FSH, testosterone/LH and free testosterone/LH) and semen parameters (total sperm count and sperm concentration) were examined using multiple linear regression analyses adjusted for relevant confounders. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Approximately half of the men (52%) were cigarette smokers, 13% used e-cigarettes, 25% used snuff and 33% used marijuana. Users of e-cigarettes and marijuana were often also cigarette smokers. Compared to non-users, daily e-cigarette users had significantly lower total sperm count (147 million vs 91 million) as did daily cigarette smokers (139 million vs 103 million), in adjusted analyses. Furthermore, significantly higher total and free testosterone levels were seen in cigarette smoking men (6.2% and 4.1% higher total testosterone and 6.2% and 6.2% higher free testosterone in daily smokers and occasional smokers, respectively, compared to non-smoking men), but not among e-cigarette users. Daily users of marijuana had 8.3% higher total testosterone levels compared to non-users. No associations were observed for snuff in relation to markers of testicular function. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION We cannot exclude that our results can be influenced by residual confounding by behavioural factors not adjusted for. The number of daily e-cigarette users was limited and findings should be replicated in other studies. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This is the first human study to indicate that not only cigarette smoking but also use of e-cigarettes is associated with lower sperm counts. This could be important knowledge for men trying to achieve a pregnancy, as e-cigarettes are often considered to be less harmful than conventional cigarette smoking. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Funding was received from the Danish Ministry of Health (1-1010-308/59), the Independent Research Fund Denmark (8020-00218B), ReproUnion (20200407) and the Research Fund of the Capital Region of Denmark (A6176). The authors have nothing to disclose. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NA

scholarly journals Hypoactive sexual desire in transsexual women: prevalence and association with testosterone levels

2008 ◽  
Vol 158 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Els Elaut ◽  
Griet De Cuypere ◽  
Petra De Sutter ◽  
Luk Gijs ◽  
Michael Van Trotsenburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Desire ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Oestrogen Treatment ◽  
Testosterone Levels

ObjectiveAn unknown proportion of transsexual women (defined as post-operative male-to-female transsexuals on oestrogen replacement) experience hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). It has been suggested that the absence of ovarian androgen production together with oestrogen treatment-related increase in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels could be leading to HSDD, due to low levels of biologically available testosterone. This study wishes to document the HSDD prevalence among transsexual women and the possible association to androgen levels.DesignCross-sectional study.MethodsTranssexual women (n=62) and a control group of ovulating women (n=30) participated in this study. Questionnaires measuring sexual desire (sexual desire inventory) and relationship and sexual satisfaction (Maudsley Marital Questionnaire) were completed. Serum levels of total testosterone, LH and SHBG were measured in blood samples obtained at random in transsexual women and in the early follicular phase in ovulating women.ResultsThe transsexual group had lower levels of total and calculated free testosterone (both P<0.001) than the ovulating women. HSDD was reported in 34% of the transsexual and 23% of the ovulating women (P=0.30). Both groups reported similar levels of sexual desire (P=0.97). For transsexual women, no significant correlation was found between sexual desire and total (P=0.64) or free testosterone (P=0.82). In ovulating women, these correlations were significant (P=0.006, resp. P=0.003).ConclusionsHSDD is reported in one-third of transsexual women. This prevalence is not substantially different from controls, despite markedly lower (free) testosterone levels, which argues against a major role of testosterone in this specific group.

scholarly journals SAT-LB5 Prevalence of Hypogonadism in Young Obese Males

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anup Halappanavar ◽  
Rajiv Pakhetra
Keyword(s):  
Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
P Value ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Ageing, obesity, and chronic illness are major factors affecting serum testosterone (T) levels in men.The magnitude of the impact of ageing on serum T levels is well established, for obesity this is less clear. Severe obesity may lead to isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). Several explanations have been offered to clarify the presence of reduced T levels in obese men. One relates to the technique that is generally employed to measure serum androgen levels, i.e. measurement of total testosterone (TT) instead of free testosterone (FT). TT represents the sum of FT and T bound to albumin and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). A profound reduction in SHBG level is commonly found in obese men, and this is a major factor causing a decrease in TT.Measurement of free testosterone levels may provide a more accurate assessment of androgen status than the (usually preferred) measurement of total testosterone in situations where SHBG levels are outside the reference range. However, reference ranges for free testosterone levels are not well established, especially in older men, and some have argued that the measurement of free testosterone levels merely reintroduces age in a covert form. This is a cross sectional study to estimate prevalence of hypogonadism in young obese males. In this study 147 young obese men participated, of which we confirmed low total testosterone (TT) levels in 35.37% of subjects with a p value of 0.06. Since only Total Testosterone was measured for categorizing subjects with or without hypogonadism, Free Testosterone measurement would be a better indicator for the diagnosis of hypogonadism as in cases where the total testosterone is borderline-low or when SHBG concentrations are abnormal. As such, the study is valuable in the context of the ongoing controversy as to whether testosterone treatment should be limited to men with classical hypogonadism, or be considered for appropriately selected men with functional hypogonadism as well. The principal findings are in general agreement with existing literature reporting correlation between levels of testosterone, body mass index and constitutional symptoms. However, this has never been shown before in context of Indian population. The present study was carried out at Armed Forces Medical College and Command Hospital, Pune between October 2017 to August 2019.We studied to see if there is association between testosterone levels and BMI. In our study we found no statistical association as the p value was 0.26 (&gt;0.05)

scholarly journals ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN PITUITARY-GONADAL AXIS PARAMETERS AND SEMEN QUALITY IN YOUNG, HEALTHY MEN (AndroLS)

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. e11-e24
Author(s):  
Józków Paweł ◽  
Medras Marek ◽  
Szmigiero Leszek ◽  
Słowinska-Lisowska Małgorzata ◽  
Lwow Felicja
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Morphology ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Semen Volume ◽  
The Impact

Background and ObjectiveHormonal measurements play an important role in the evaluation of male fertility potential. In men without hypogonadism, the impact of androgen status on semen is rarely analyzed.Material and MethodsWe evaluated associations between parameters of the pituitary-gonadal axis: luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (T), free testosterone (FT), calculated testosterone (TC), bioavailable testosterone (TB), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index, and semen quality parameters in healthy young men.ResultsIn our study group, sperm concentration and sperm count were associated with FSH and FT. The percentage of immotile sperm was associated with LH and T. The percentage of vital sperm was negatively related to LH. We identified negative, independent associations between T and semen volume (p<0.026) and TC and semen volume (p<0.025). We observed negative, independent association between FSH, FT, and total sperm count (both P<0.002) and between FT and the percentage of normal forms (P<0.012). There were positive associations between LH and T and the percentage of immotile sperm (P<0.007 and P<0.034, respectively). There were no relationships between sperm morphology parameters and the parameters of the pituitary-gonadal axis.ConclusionIn healthy eugonadal men, variations in FSH, LH, T, and FT (within normal limits) are reflected in semen characteristics but not in sperm morphology features.

scholarly journals Seasonal Variation of Testosterone and Waist to Hip Ratio in Men: The Tromsø Study

2003 ◽  
Vol 88 (7) ◽  
pp. 3099-3104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Svartberg ◽  
Rolf Jorde ◽  
Johan Sundsfjord ◽  
Kaare H. Bønaa ◽  
Elizabeth Barrett-Connor
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Waist To Hip Ratio ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Small Peak ◽  
Prominent Peak

Studies of seasonal variation in male testosterone levels show contradictory results. We report here a cross-sectional study of the seasonal variation in total and free testosterone, LH, and SHBG levels in 1548 men living in north Norway, a population exposed to a wide seasonal variation in temperature and daylight. Total testosterone showed a bimodal seasonal variation (P &lt; 0.001) with a small peak in February, the nadir in June, and a more prominent peak in October and November. Free testosterone also showed a significant seasonal pattern (P &lt; 0.001), with the peak in December and the nadir in August. These patterns persisted after adjusting for age and waist to hip ratio (P &lt; 0.001). Lowest testosterone levels occurred in months with the highest temperatures and longest hours of daylight. Waist to hip ratio paralleled the change in daylight and temperature, with the highest values during the summer and was thus inversely related to the seasonal testosterone variation. The variations in hormone levels were large, with a 31% difference between the lowest and highest monthly mean level of free testosterone. Prospective studies are needed to establish the direction of the association and its etiology.

scholarly journals Testosterone levels in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 2313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish Chaudhary ◽  
Madan Kaushik ◽  
V. M. S. Jaswal ◽  
Rajeev Raina ◽  
Roshan Thakur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Number Of Patients

Background: To study testosterone levels in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus in age group of 30-50 years.Methods: In this cross sectional study of 193 type 2 diabetes men aged between 30-50 years, total and free testosterone levels were calculated along with other relevant clinical variables like hypertension, BMI, dyslipidemia, peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy.Results: The study group had study out of 193 patients 34.7% have low total testosterone levels, 29.53% have low free testosterone levels and 23.3% have both low and free testosterone levels. Maximum number of patients with low total testosterone levels were in the age group between 46-50 years (41.0%) and with low free total testosterone levels were in the age group between 36-40 years (41.8%).Conclusions: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with low levels of total and free testosterone. Obesity and dyslipidemia are also associated with low testosterone levels.

scholarly journals Hypogonadism and liver fibrosis in HIV-infected patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Quiros-Roldan ◽  
T. Porcelli ◽  
L. C. Pezzaioli ◽  
M. Degli Antoni ◽  
S. Paghera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pituitary Dysfunction ◽  
Consequent Reduction ◽  
Secondary Hypogonadism ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Purpose Hypogonadism is frequent in HIV-infected men and might impact on metabolic and sexual health. Low testosterone results from either primary testicular damage, secondary hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, or from liver-derived sex-hormone-binding-globulin (SHBG) elevation, with consequent reduction of free testosterone. The relationship between liver fibrosis and hypogonadism in HIV-infected men is unknown. Aim of our study was to determine the prevalence and type of hypogonadism in a cohort of HIV-infected men and its relationship with liver fibrosis. Methods We performed a cross-sectional retrospective study including 107 HIV-infected men (median age 54 years) with hypogonadal symptoms. Based on total testosterone (TT), calculated free testosterone, and luteinizing hormone, five categories were identified: eugonadism, primary, secondary, normogonadotropic and compensated hypogonadism. Estimates of liver fibrosis were performed by aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) scores. Results Hypogonadism was found in 32/107 patients (30.8%), with normogonadotropic (10/107, 9.3%) and compensated (17/107, 15.8%) being the most frequent forms. Patients with secondary/normogonadotropic hypogonadism had higher body mass index (BMI) (p < 0001). Patients with compensated hypogonadism had longer HIV infection duration (p = 0.031), higher APRI (p = 0.035) and FIB-4 scores (p = 0.008), and higher HCV co-infection. Univariate analysis showed a direct significant correlation between APRI and TT (p = 0.006) and SHBG (p = 0.002), and between FIB-4 and SHBG (p = 0.045). Multivariate analysis showed that SHBG was independently associated with both liver fibrosis scores. Conclusion Overt and compensated hypogonadism are frequently observed among HIV-infected men. Whereas obesity is related to secondary hypogonadism, high SHBG levels, related to liver fibrosis degree and HCV co-infection, are responsible for compensated forms.

scholarly journals In men older than 70 years, total testosterone remains stable while free testosterone declines with age. The Health in Men Study

2007 ◽  
Vol 156 (5) ◽  
pp. 585-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bu B Yeap ◽  
Osvaldo P Almeida ◽  
Zoë Hyde ◽  
Paul E Norman ◽  
S A Paul Chubb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Testosterone Concentration ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Clinical Consequences

Objective: An age-related decline in serum total and free testosterone concentration may contribute to ill health in men, but limited data are available for men > 70 years of age. We sought to determine the distribution and associations of reduced testosterone concentrations in older men. Design: The Health in Men Study is a community-representative prospective cohort investigation of 4263 men aged ≥ 70 years. Cross-sectional hormone data from 3645 men were analysed. Methods: Early morning sera were assayed for total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and LH. Free testosterone was calculated using the Vermeulen method. Results: Mean (± s.d.) serum total testosterone was 15.4 ± 5.6 nmol/l (444 ± 162 ng/dl), SHBG 42.4 ± 16.7 nmol/l and free testosterone 278 ± 96 pmol/l (8.01 ± 2.78 ng/dl). Total testosterone correlated with SHBG (Spearman’s r = 0.6, P < 0.0001). LH and SHBG increased with age (r = 0.2, P < 0.0001 for both). Instead of declining, total testosterone increased marginally (r = 0.04, P = 0.007) whilst free testosterone declined with age (r = −0.1, P < 0.0001). Free testosterone was inversely correlated with LH (r = −0.1, P < 0.0001). In multivariate analyses, increasing age, body mass index (BMI) and LH were associated with lower free testosterone. Conclusions: In men aged 70–89 years, modulation of androgen action may occur via an age-related increase in SHBG and reduction in free testosterone without a decline in total testosterone concentration. Increasing age, BMI and LH are independently associated with lower free testosterone. Further investigation would be required to assess the clinical consequences of low serum free testosterone, particularly in older men in whom total testosterone may be preserved.

scholarly journals Low testosterone is associated with disability in men with multiple sclerosis

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 1584-1592 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Bove ◽  
A Musallam ◽  
BC Healy ◽  
K Raghavan ◽  
BI Glanz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
25 Hydroxy Vitamin D ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Low Testosterone

Background: Gonadal steroids may modulate disease course in multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: To assess the prevalence and clinical associations of hypogonadism in men with MS. Methods: Male patients, aged 18–65 years, with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) or clinically-isolated syndrome (CIS) and their first symptom < 10 years prior were selected from a longitudinal clinical study. We measured their hormones in stored morning blood samples, and collected their Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores every 6 months and their Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) results annually. Results: Our analysis included 96 men with a mean age of 40 years, EDSS of 1.1 and disease duration of 4.6 years. Of these men, 39% were hypogonadal (total testosterone < 288 ng/dL); none showed compensatory elevations in luteinizing hormone. Their low testosterone levels and testosterone:estradiol ratios were negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and leptin, and showed no correlation with 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels. In our primary cross-sectional analyses, there was a negative age-adjusted correlation between total testosterone and EDSS ( p = 0.044). In the age-adjusted longitudinal analyses, higher baseline testosterone levels were associated with less decline in SDMT ( p = 0.012). Conclusions: Men with MS may experience hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Low testosterone levels may be associated with worse clinical outcomes. A potential neuroprotective role for testosterone warrants further investigation.

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