Circulating sex hormone levels in relation to male sperm quality

Abstract Background Although sex hormones play critical roles in spermatogenesis and sperm maturation, it remains inconclusive whether circulating sex hormones can serve as non-invasive biomarkers to determine sperm quality. Methods We systematically evaluated the association of various sex hormones in serum with sperm quality among 338 subfertile males. Concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (TT), total estradiol (E2), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were detected by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Free testosterone and estradiol were calculated using a validated algorithm. A generalized liner regression model controlling for lifestyle factors was used to assess the associations with sperm count, concentration, motility, and morphology. Results After adjusting for age, body mass index, current smoking and alcohol drinking, LH, FSH, and TT levels were all inversely associated with sperm motility (all P for trend < 0.05); however, in mutual adjustment analysis, only LH remained an inverse association with sperm motility after adjusting for FSH and TT levels ( P for trend = 0.04 ). Higher concentrations of LH were also associated with lower sperm progressive motility ( P for trend = 0.04 ). Moreover, LH and FSH levels were both inversely associated with normal sperm morphology ( P for trend = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively ). Conclusions Increased levels of LH are associated with poor sperm motility and morphology. Our findings suggest that LH might play a central role in sperm maturation, which represents a potential biomarker to improve clinical evaluation of male infertility.

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Circulating sex hormone levels in relation to male sperm quality

10.21203/rs.2.18441/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Wei Zhao ◽

Jun Jing ◽

Yong Shao ◽

Rong Zeng ◽

Cencen Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Hormones ◽

Sperm Motility ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Free Testosterone ◽

Sex Hormone ◽

Sperm Maturation ◽

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽

Total Testosterone ◽

Inverse Association

Abstract Background Although sex hormones play critical roles in spermatogenesis and sperm maturation, it remains inconclusive whether circulating sex hormones can serve as non-invasive biomarkers to improve the assessment of sperm quality. Methods We systematically evaluated the association of various sex hormones in serum with sperm quality among 338 men in subfertile couples. Concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (TT), total estradiol (E2), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were detected by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Free testosterone and estradiol were calculated using a validated algorithm. A generalized liner regression model controlling for lifestyle factors was used to evaluate the associations with sperm count, concentration, motility, and morphology.Results After adjusting for age, body mass index, current smoking and alcohol drinking, LH, FSH, and TT levels were all inversely associated with sperm motility (all P for trend < 0.05); however, in mutual adjustment analysis, only LH remained an inverse association with sperm motility after adjusting for FSH and TT levels (P for trend = 0.04). Higher concentrations of LH were also associated with lower sperm progressive motility (P for trend = 0.04). Moreover, LH and FSH levels were both inversely associated with normal sperm morphology (P for trend = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Conclusions Increased levels of LH are associated with poor sperm motility and morphology, suggesting that LH may play a central role in sperm maturation. Future studies are warranted to assess potential clinical utility of LH for risk stratification and tailed prevention of male infertility.

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The effects of Vitamin D3 supplementation on Spermatogram and endocrine factors in asthenozoospermia infertile men: a randomized, triple blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology ◽

10.1186/s12958-021-00789-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Leila Maghsoumi-Norouzabad ◽

Ahmad Zare Javid ◽

Anahita Mansoori ◽

Mohammadreza Dadfar ◽

Amirarsalan Serajian

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Sperm Motility ◽

Vitamin D3 ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Sperm Parameters ◽

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Total Testosterone ◽

Infertile Men

Abstract Objective Evaluate the effects of vitamin D3 (VD3) on sperm parameters and endocrine markers in infertile men with asthenozoospermia. Materials and methods This randomized, triple-masking, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted on 86 asthenozoospermia infertile men with serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D3 (25(OH)VD3) < 30 ng/ml in the infertility clinic of Ahvaz Jahad daneshgahi, Iran. Patients were randomly allocated to groups A and B, who received daily 4000 IU VD3 and matching placebo respectively for 3 months. Demographic data, dietary intake, physical activity, sun exposure, anthropometric indices, serum 25(OH)VD3, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (T), estradiol (E2),, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index (FAI = T/SHBG. 100), T/LH and T/E2 ratios, prolactin (PRO), parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin (OCN), phosphorus and sperm parameters were assessed. Results Three months VD3 supplementation with 4000 IU/day had no significant effects body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), body fat (BF), serum, OCN, LH, FSH, T, E2, SHBG, PRO, T/E2 ratio, FAI, semen volume, sperm count and normal sperm morphology. It increases serum 25(OH)VD3, PTH and phosphorus and seminal and serum calcium, T/LH ratio and total and progressive sperm motility and decreased significantly compared to the baseline and placebo group. Conclusion VD3 supplementation may affect sperm motility in men with asthenozoospermia and serum 25(OH)VD3 < 30 ng/ml. Trial registration Iran Clinical Trials Registry, ID: IRCT20151128025274N4, registered on 28 March 2018, URL of trial registry record: https://www.irct.ir/trial/29983

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Sex Hormone–Binding Globulin and Risk of Clinical Diabetes in American Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander Postmenopausal Women

Clinical Chemistry ◽

10.1373/clinchem.2012.193086 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 58 (10) ◽

pp. 1457-1466 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Brian H Chen ◽

Kathleen Brennan ◽

Atsushi Goto ◽

Yiqing Song ◽

Najib Aziz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Postmenopausal Women ◽

Diabetes Risk ◽

Sex Hormone ◽

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽

Clinical Diabetes ◽

Total Testosterone ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Hormone Binding ◽

Strong Inverse Association ◽

Asian Pacific

Abstract BACKGROUND Recent prospective studies have shown a strong inverse association between sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations and risk of clinical diabetes in white individuals. However, it remains unclear whether this relationship extends to other racial/ethnic populations. METHODS We evaluated the association between baseline concentrations of SHBG and clinical diabetes risk in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. Over a median follow-up of 5.9 years, we identified 642 postmenopausal women who developed clinical diabetes (380 blacks, 157 Hispanics, 105 Asians) and 1286 matched controls (777 blacks, 307 Hispanics, 202 Asians). RESULTS Higher concentrations of SHBG at baseline were associated with a significantly lower risk of clinical diabetes [relative risk (RR), 0.15; 95% CI, 0.09–0.26 for highest vs lowest quartile of SHBG, adjusted for BMI and known diabetes risk factors]. The associations remained consistent within ethnic groups [RR, 0.19 (95% CI, 0.10–0.38) for blacks; RR, 0.17 (95% CI, 0.05–0.57) for Hispanics; and 0.13 (95% CI, 0.03–0.48) for Asians]. Adjustment for potential confounders, such as total testosterone (RR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.07–0.19) or HOMA-IR (RR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.14–0.48) did not alter the RR substantially. In addition, SHBG concentrations were significantly associated with risk of clinical diabetes across categories of hormone therapy use (never users: RRper SD = 0.42, 95% CI, 0.34–0.51; past users: RRper SD = 0.53;, 95% CI, 0.37–0.77; current users: RRper SD = 0.57; 95% CI, 0.46–0.69; P-interaction = 0.10). CONCLUSIONS In this prospective study of postmenopausal women, we observed a robust, inverse relationship between serum concentrations of SHBG and risk of clinical diabetes in American blacks, Hispanics, and Asians/Pacific Islanders. These associations appeared to be independent of sex hormone concentrations, adiposity, or insulin resistance.

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Associations Between Dietary Inflammatory Index and Sex Hormones Among 6- to 19-Year-Old Children and Adolescents in NHANES 2015–2016

Frontiers in Endocrinology ◽

10.3389/fendo.2021.792114 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Yuxia Ma ◽

Ruiqiang Li ◽

Wenqiang Zhan ◽

Xin Huang ◽

Yutian Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Steroid Hormones ◽

Sex Hormones ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Sex Hormone ◽

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽

Female Adolescents ◽

Total Testosterone ◽

Dietary Inflammatory Index ◽

Negatively Associated ◽

Inflammatory Index

ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the relationship between dietary inflammatory index (DII) and sex steroids in children (6-11 years old) and adolescents (12-19 years old) in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2015–2016.MethodsParticipants between the ages of 6-19 have 24-hour dietary intake data, serum sex hormones [total testosterone (TT), estradiol (E2)], and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) available data (n = 1382). The free androgen index (FAI) is calculated as TT divided by SHBG and the ratio of TT to E2 (TT/E2). The constructed puberty state is defined as high levels of steroid hormones (TT≥50 ng/dL in men, E2≥20 pg/ml in women) or onset of menarche. Multiple linear regression analysis was stratified by gender-age and gender-pubertal status groups to evaluate the association between DII and sex hormone levels.ResultsAfter adjusting for covariates, the association between consecutive DII and sex hormone indicators by gender and age group. In male adolescents, DII was always negatively associated with TT (P-trend = 0.09), FAI (P-trend = 0.03) and E2 (P-trend = 0.01), and monotonically positively associated with SHBG (P-trend = 0.02).In female adolescents, with the increase of DII, a significant positive correlation with SHBG was observed (β 0.017, 95%CI: 0.009,0.053) (Table 3). Among female adolescents, a significant negative association between DII and TT and a significant positive association between SHBG were observed in this group. Moreover, DII was positively associated with SHBG of prepubertal males and negatively associated with FAI of prepubertal females.ConclusionsDII was associated with decreased levels of certain sex steroid hormones (TT, FAI, and E2) and increased levels of SHBG in adolescents or pubertal individuals, with the associations presenting somewhat sex-dependent pattern. However, there is little evidence that there is a significant association in children or prepubertal children. Further research needs to be carried out to verify our results.

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Abstract P054: Endogenous Sex Hormone Levels and Endothelial Function Among Men and Post-Menopausal Women in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.137.suppl_1.p054 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Lena Mathews ◽

Vinita Subramanya ◽

Di Zhao ◽

Pamela Ouyang ◽

Dhanajay Vaidya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Function ◽

Sex Hormones ◽

Sex Hormone ◽

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽

Total Testosterone ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Men And Women ◽

Hormone Levels ◽

Menopausal Women ◽

Post Menopausal

Background: Sex is a major determinant of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Endogenous sex hormones exert a variety of effects on the vascular endothelium, and changes in sex hormone levels after menopause may play a role in CVD risk in women. We hypothesized that a more androgenic sex hormone profile among post-menopausal women, but not among men, would be associated with reduced blood flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, a marker of worse endothelial function. Methods: We examined 1396 post-menopausal women and 1707 men participating in MESA, who were free of clinical CVD at baseline. Sex hormone levels [total testosterone (T), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol (E2)] were measured at Exam 1 (2000-02); free T and T/E2 ratio were calculated. FMD was measured by high-resolution ultrasound. Using multivariable adjusted Poisson and linear regression methods, we tested the cross-sectional associations of sex hormones (log transformed) with FMD. Results: The mean age of men and women was 61 and 64 years, respectively. Of women, 34% were using hormone therapy (HT). Among women, after adjusting for demographics, CVD risk factors, and HT use, higher SHBG was associated with higher FMD, whereas higher free T was associated with lower FMD (Table, Model 2). In women, when examining the “best FMD response” (top decile vs. bottom 9 deciles), higher E2 was positively associated with a prevalent best response, whereas higher free T was inversely associated. Among men, a higher T/E2 ratio was marginally associated with lower FMD. Conclusion: The association between sex hormones and FMD differs in men and women. Higher E2 and SHBG and lower free T levels were associated with better FMD in post-menopausal women but not in men. Higher T/E2 ratio was associated with lower FMD in men. Further studies are needed to assess longitudinal changes in sex hormone levels and their association with vascular aging. Sex hormone levels may help identify individuals at increased CVD risk who may benefit from other risk reduction strategies.

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Endogenous sex hormones in men aged 40-80 years

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje.0.1490583 ◽

2003 ◽

pp. 583-589 ◽

Cited By ~ 214

Author(s):

M Muller ◽

I den Tonkelaar ◽

JH Thijssen ◽

DE Grobbee ◽

YT van der Schouw

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Health Status ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Sex Hormones ◽

Life Style ◽

General Health ◽

Sex Hormone ◽

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽

Total Testosterone ◽

General Health Status

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between aging, life-style factors and health-related factors and endogenous sex hormone levels. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of 400 independently living men between 40 and 80 Years of age. METHODS: After exclusion of subjects who were not physically or mentally able to visit the study center, 400 men were randomly selected from a population-based sample. Total testosterone (TT), bioavailable testosterone (BT) (i.e. not bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)), SHBG, estradiol (E(2)) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) were investigated for their relationship with age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, smoking, physical activity and general health status. Multivariate models using ANCOVA analyses were used to examine the contribution of life-style factors to sex hormone variability. RESULTS: TT, BT and DHEA-S decreased with age; 0.2, 0.7 and 1.2%/Year respectively. SHBG showed an increase with age of 1.1%/Year. No changes with age were found for E(2). General health status modified the association of TT and SHBG with age (P interaction 0.10 and 0.002 respectively). Increased BMI and waist circumference were associated with decreased TT, BT, SHBG and DHEA-S and increased E(2) (all P<0.01). Current smoking, lower alcohol intake and a higher physical activity score were associated with higher TT and SHBG levels. CONCLUSION: This study showed the important determinants of sex hormones were age, BMI, waist circumference, smoking, general health status and physical activity. Furthermore, it can be concluded that general health status modified the effect between sex hormones and age. For future observational studies it should be taken into account that the above-mentioned determinants may alter the association between sex hormones and diseases and related conditions.

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Sex Hormones and Incident Heart Failure in Men and Postmenopausal Women: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/clinem/dgaa500 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 105 (10) ◽

pp. e3798-e3807 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Di Zhao ◽

Eliseo Guallar ◽

Christie M Ballantyne ◽

Wendy S Post ◽

Pamela Ouyang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Postmenopausal Women ◽

Sex Hormones ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Sex Hormone ◽

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽

Total Testosterone ◽

Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities ◽

Atherosclerosis Risk

Abstract Context Sex differences exist in heart failure (HF) phenotypes, but there is limited research on the role of sex hormones in HF and its subtypes. Objective To examine the associations of total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) with incident HF, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Design Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study (prospective cohort study). Median follow-up is 19.2 years. Setting General community. Participants 4107 men and 4839 postmenopausal women, with mean age of 63.2 (standard deviation [SD] 5.7) and 62.8 (5.5) years, respectively. Exposure Plasma sex hormone levels were measured at visit 4 (1996-1998). Main Outcome Measures Incident HF events were identified through hospital discharge codes and death certificates. Results The Hazard Ratios for HF associated with 1 SD decrease in log-transformed total testosterone, DHEA-S, and SHBG were 1.10 (95% confidence interval 1.03, 1.17), 1.07 (1.00, 1.15), and 1.04 (0.96, 1.11) in men, and 1.05 (0.99, 1.13), 1.17 (1.09, 1.24), and 0.93 (0.85, 1.01) in women, respectively. The associations between sex hormones with subtypes of HF had similar patterns but were attenuated and became statistically insignificant. Conclusion In this prospective cohort, lower levels of endogenous testosterone and DHEA-S in men and DHEA-S in postmenopausal women were associated with the development of HF. Similar directions of association in both sexes and both HF subtypes suggest that sex hormones play a role in the development of HF through common pathways regardless of sex.

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The Associations between Sex Hormones and Lipid Profiles in Serum of Women with Different Phenotypes of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10173941 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (17) ◽

pp. 3941

Author(s):

Anna Bizoń ◽

Grzegorz Franik ◽

Justyna Niepsuj ◽

Marta Czwojdzińska ◽

Marcin Leśniewski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽

Lipid Profile ◽

Sex Hormones ◽

Polycystic Ovary ◽

Free Testosterone ◽

Lipid Profiles ◽

Sex Hormone ◽

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽

Total Testosterone ◽

Ovary Syndrome

We aimed to evaluate the relationship between selected serum sex hormones and lipid profiles in a group of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) dividing according to four phenotypes, value of body mass index (BMI), and presence of hyperlipidemia. The study included 606 Caucasian women. Lipids and selected hormones were estimated using commercially available procedures during hospitalization in 2017. Phenotype of PCOS, BMI value, and hyperlipidemia were significant factors that influenced androgen hormone concentrations, such as total and free testosterone and androstenedione as well as the value of free androgen index (FAI). Moreover, significant changes in concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were found between those groups. Higher quartiles of triglyceride concentrations increased the odds ratio of decreased concentrations of SHBG or increased values of FAI, while an adverse relation was found in case of HDL-C. The concentration of estradiol in the blood of women with PCOS was not associated with lipid profile parameters in any investigated groups. Probably, irregularities in sex hormone concentrations during PCOS is not directly associated with lipid profile parameters but could be reflective of the concentration of SHBG or the ratio of SHBG and total testosterone and their association with lipids.

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