Mediterranean and western dietary patterns are related to markers of testicular function among healthy men.

STUDY QUESTION: Are there any associations of dietary patterns with semen quality, reproductive hormone levels, and testicular volume, as markers of testicular function? SUMMARY ANSWER: These results suggest that traditional Mediterranean diets may have a positive impact on male reproductive potential. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The Mediterranean diet has been related to lower risk of multiple chronic diseases, but its effects on reproduction potential are unclear. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Cross-sectional sample of 215 male university students recruited from October 2010 to November 2011 in Murcia Region (Spain). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Two hundred and nine healthy men aged 18-23 years were finally included in this analysis. Diet was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. Linear regression was used to analyze the relation between diet patterns with semen quality parameters, reproductive hormone levels and testicular volume adjusting for potential confounders. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: We identified two dietary patterns: a Mediterranean (characterized by high intakes of vegetables, fruits and seafood) and a Western pattern (characterized by high intakes of processed meats, French fries and snacks). The Mediterranean pattern was positively associated with total sperm count (P, trend = 0.04). The Western pattern was positively related to the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (P, trend = 0.008). We found an inverse association between adherence to the Western pattern and sperm concentration among overweight or obese men (P, trend = 0.04). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: As with all cross-sectional studies, causal inference is limited. However, participants were blinded to the study outcomes thus reducing the potential influenced their report of diet. Although we adjusted for a large number of known and suspected confounders, we cannot exclude the possibility of residual confounding or chance findings. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This study was carried out on healthy and young men, so it is difficult to predict whether and how the observed differences in semen quality translate into reproductive success for men in couples trying to conceive. These results suggest that traditional Mediterranean diets may have a positive impact on male reproductive potential.

Longer anogenital distance is associated with higher testosterone levels in women: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Animal models have suggested that anogenital distance (AGD) at birth reflects androgen levels during in utero development and predicts adult AGD. A recent study showed an association between perineal length and androgen levels in men, suggesting that serum testosterone levels in adulthood will depend on factors involved during the fetal period. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between AGD measures and reproductive hormone levels in women. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study conducted between February and November 2011. SETTING: University-affiliated fertility clinics. POPULATION: 100 young college students. METHODS: Physical and gynaecological examinations were conducted on university students. All participants provided a blood sample for determination of reproductive hormones and completed an epidemiological questionnaire on lifestyles and gynaecological history. We used multiple linear regression analysis to examine the associations between perineal length measurements [anus-fourchette (AGDAF ) and anus-clitoris (AGDAC )] and reproductive hormone levels. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anogenital distance measurements and reproductive hormone levels. RESULTS: In the multiple linear regression analyses, AGDAF was positively associated with serum testosterone levels. Serum testosterone increased 0.06 ng/ml (95%CI 0.01, 0.10; P = 0.02) for each 1-cm increase in AGDAF . None of the measurements was associated with other reproductive hormones. CONCLUSIONS: Anogenital distance may predict normal reproductive development in women, and may be a new tool of potential clinical interest to evaluate ovarian function. Our results suggest that serum testosterone levels in adulthood may depend on factors operating in the prenatal period.

Is anogenital distance associated with semen quality in male partners of subfertile couples?

Experimental studies have shown that anogenital distance (AGD) at birth reflects androgen concentrations during prenatal development and predicts adult AGD. In male rodents, shortened AGD is associated with compromised reproductive function. The aim of this study was to examine associations between AGD measures and semen quality in male partners of subfertile couples. All men were attending an infertility service and provided a semen sample and completed epidemiological questionnaires on lifestyle and general health. Two variants of AGD [from the anus to the posterior base of the scrotum (AGDAS) and to the cephalad insertion of the penis (AGDAP)] were assessed in 91 men. Semen parameters (semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm counts, motility, and morphology) were determined following WHO guidelines. Associations between AGD measures and semen quality were tested using multiple regression analyses controlling for appropriate covariates. Significant positive associations between AGDAS measures and sperm concentration, total sperm count, and total sperm motile count were detected (p-values < 0.05). This study represents the first analysis of AGD in potential infertile European men showing an association between perineal length and semen parameters. However, it is still uncertain the utility to clinical practice, therefore further studies are warranted to confirm and extent these findings.