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* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: meekerj{at}umich.edu.
Background: Participation rates in epidemiologic studies on semen quality are generally very low, raising concerns with the potential for selection bias. Because hormones both initiate and maintain spermatogenesis, they may serve as surrogates of semen quality in epidemiologic studies. For this reason, in the present study we explored the influence and predictive ability of reproductive and thyroid hormones on semen quality among men that were partners in an infertile couple. Methods: Between 1999 and 2003, 388 men were recruited from Massachusetts General Hospital Andrology Laboratory for clinical evaluation of fertility status. Fresh semen samples were assessed for quality (concentration, motility and morphology) and hormones were measured in serum (follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), inhibin B, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), testosterone, free androgen index, free T4, total T3, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)). Results: Multiple logistic regression revealed increased odds for below reference sperm concentration and morphology in men with increased FSH, and decreased odds for below reference sperm concentration and motility in men with increased inhibin B. When FSH and inhibin B were divided into quintiles, the relationships with sperm concentration showed evidence of a threshold value. However, the ability of specific FSH (10 IU/L) and/or inhibin B (80 ng/dL) cutoff values to predict semen quality was lower than in previous reports. In multiple linear regression analysis, FSH and LH were inversely associated with sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. Inhibin B and free T4 were positively associated with sperm concentration, while there was a suggestive positive association between testosterone and sperm motility. Conclusions: We found that FSH, LH, inhibin B, testosterone and free T4 levels were associated with human semen parameters. Additional consideration should be given to the utility of serum hormone levels as a surrogate for semen quality in epidemiologic studies where collection of semen is difficult due to logistical and/or volunteer rate constraints.
Key words: Hormone •
Semen Analysis •
Epidemiology •
Thyroid
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  J. D. Meeker, D. B. Barr, and R. Hauser Human semen quality and sperm DNA damage in relation to urinary metabolites of pyrethroid insecticides Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2008; 23(8): 1932 - 1940. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 J. D. Meeker, N. P. Singh, and R. Hauser Serum Concentrations of Estradiol and Free T4 Are Inversely Correlated With Sperm DNA Damage in Men From an Infertility Clinic J Androl, July 1, 2008; 29(4): 379 - 388. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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