Evdochia Adoamnei

Urinary bisphenol A concentrations are associated with reproductive parameters in young men

ABSTRACT Bisphenol A (BPA) is a pervasive environmental toxicant with known reproductive effects on sperm parameters and hormone levels. Several observational studies have investigated the associations between BPA exposure and male reproductive function, but findings are inconsistent. The objective of this study was to assess the associations between urinary BPA concentrations and semen quality and reproductive hormone levels in a cross‐sectional study with 215 healthy young university students (18–23 years old), investigated between 2010 and 2011 in Southern Spain (Murcia Region). All subjects provided urine, blood serum and semen samples on a single day. Urinary BPA concentrations were measured by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection. Semen quality was evaluated by measuring volume, concentration, motility, morphology and total sperm count (TSC). Serum samples were analyzed for reproductive hormones, including follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, inhibin B and estradiol. Relationships between urinary BPA concentrations and semen quality parameters and reproductive hormone levels were examined using linear regression, adjusting for potential confounders and covariates. Ninety‐five percent of the men had detectable urinary BPA concentrations with unadjusted median (5th–95th) of 2.8 (0.16–11.5) ng/mL. After adjustment for important covariates, there was a significant positive association between urinary BPA concentrations and serum LH levels (&bgr; = 0.07, 95%CI: 0.02;0.12, p‐value < 0.01). Urinary BPA concentration was also significantly and inversely associated with sperm concentration (&bgr; = − 0.04, 95%CI: − 0.07;− 0.02, p‐value < 0.01) and TSC (&bgr; = − 0.05, 95%CI: − 0.08;− 0.02, p‐value < 0.01). No significant associations were found between BPA and other semen parameters or reproductive hormone levels. Our results support the hypothesis that BPA exposure may be associated with a reduction in Leydig cell capacity (increased LH levels) and decreased sperm counts in young men. HIGHLIGHTSUrinary BPA concentrations were analyzed to estimate environmental exposure.Serum reproductive hormone levels and semen parameters were evaluated.Negative associations between BPA and sperm counts were found.Increasing BPA concentrations were associated with altered LH levels.BPA exposure may adversely impact reproductive function in young men.

Urinary concentrations of parabens and reproductive parameters in young men

Parabens are a group of alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid that are commonly added to personal care products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and beverage and food processing as antimicrobial preservatives. Parabens have been reported to show estrogenic effects and affect male reproduction function in animal models, but human epidemiologic studies are still scarce. The objective of this study was to examine associations between urinary concentrations of parabens and semen quality and reproductive hormone levels. This was a cross-sectional study with 215 young university students (18-23years old) recruited between 2010 and 2011 in Southern Spain (Murcia Region). All men provided a urine, blood and semen sample on a single day. Urinary paraben concentrations (methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben) were measured by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection. Semen quality was evaluated by measuring volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count (TSC), motility and morphology following WHO guidelines. Serum samples were analyzed for reproductive hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, inhibin B and estradiol using immunoassays. Associations between urinary concentrations of parabens and semen quality parameters and reproductive hormone levels were examined using linear regression, adjusting for potential covariates. Ninety-four percent of the men had detectable urinary concentrations of parabens. After taking into account important covariates, urinary concentrations of parabens or their molar sum were not significantly associated with any semen parameters or any of the reproductive hormone levels. Relative to men in the lowest quartile of sum of urinary paraben concentrations, the adjusted difference (95% CI) of TSC (millions) for men in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartiles were 4.1% (-37.1;45.3), -1.6% (-41.9;38.8), and -9.8% (-52.5;32.8), respectively (P-trend=0.55). Our results suggest that, in young men, urinary parabens may not adversely impact reproductive function, but further research is warranted to confirm these findings in other male populations.

Urinary concentrations of benzophenone-type ultra violet light filters and reproductive parameters in young men

BACKGROUNDnBenzophenone (BP)-type ultraviolet (UV) light filters are chemicals frequently added to personal care products, insect repellents, sunscreens, and beverage and food packaging to diminish the harmful effects of UV sunlight on human skin or foodstuffs. BP-type UV filters have shown negative effects on male reproduction function in in vitro and animal models, but human epidemiologic studies are limited. The goal of this study was to examine associations between urinary concentrations of BP-type UV filters and semen quality and reproductive hormone levels.nnnMETHODSnThis is a cross-sectional study with 215 young university students (18-23 years old) recruited between 2010 and 2011 in Southern Spain (Murcia Region). All men provided a urine, blood and semen sample on a single day. Urinary concentrations of 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP-1); 2,2,4,4-tetrahydroxybenzophenone (BP-2); 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3); 2,2-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-8) and 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4OH-BP) were measured by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection. Semen quality was evaluated by measuring volume, sperm counts, motility and morphology. Serum samples were analyzed for reproductive hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), inhibin B and estradiol (E2). Associations between urinary concentrations of BP-type UV filters and semen quality parameters and reproductive hormone levels were examined using linear regression, adjusting for potential confounders.nnnRESULTSnNinety-seven percent of the men had detectable urinary concentrations of at least one of the five BP-type UV filters quantified. After adjustment for important covariates (body mass index, smoking status and time of blood sample collection), there was a significant positive association between urinary BP-1 and BP-3 concentrations and serum FSH levels (βu202f=u202f0.08, 95%CI: 0.009; 0.15 and βu202f=u202f0.04, 95%CI: 0.0002; 0.08, respectively). Urinary BP-1 concentration was also significantly positively associated with T/E2 (βu202f=u202f0.04, 95%CI: 0.002; 0.07) and negatively with inhibin b/FSH (βu202f=u202f-0.11, 95%CI: -0.21; -0.006) ratio. No significant associations were found between other urinary BP-type UV filters and other reproductive hormone levels or between any semen parameters and any of the urinary BP-type UV filters quantified.nnnCONCLUSIONSnOur results suggest that, in young men, urinary BP-type UV filters may be associated with a modest alteration of some reproductive hormones, but the effects we report on reproductive function are likely to be small, and of unclear clinical significance. Further research is needed to replicate these findings in other male populations.

Asociaciones entre el índice inflamatorio de la dieta y parámetros reproductivos masculinos

OBJECTIVEnThe aim of this work was to assess the associations between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and male reproductive parameters.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODnCross-sectional study of 209 healthy male university students (18-23 years old) recruited from October 2010 to November 2011 in Murcia Region (Southern Spain). Semen analyses (sperm concentration, motility and morphology) were carried out according to World Health Organization guidelines. Serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones, estradiol, inhibin b and testosterone were also determined. Diet intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. The DII assessed the inflammatory potential of ones diet. Negative or positive values of DII reflected anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory dietary status, respectively. Linear regression was used to analyze the relation between the DII score and semen quality parameters and reproductive hormone levels adjusting for potential important covariates.nnnRESULTSnWe found statistically significant positive associations between the DII and progressive sperm motility (PR) (P, trend=0.03] and total sperm motility (PR+NP) (P, trend=0.04]. No significant associations were observed for other semen parameters or male reproductive hormones.nnnCONCLUSIONSnOur results suggest that a pro-inflammatory dietary status may be associated with increased sperm motility in young men, but will not impact sperm count, morphology or reproductive hormones. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and extend these results to other male populations.

Oligoelementos en la dieta y calidad seminal y niveles de hormonas reproductivas en varones jóvenes: relación con la fertilidad

OBJECTIVEnThe aim of this study was to study the associations between dietary intake of trace elements and semen quality and reproductive hormones levels in young men.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODnThis is a cross-sectional study in healthy male university students (n=209) recruited in Murcia Region (Spain) between 2010 and 2011. Dietary intake of trace elements (iron, iodine and cinc) was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Semen analysis (sperm concentration, motility and morphology) was carried out according to World Health Organization guidelines. Serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones and testosterone were also determined. Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-squared tests were used in bivariate analysis and multiple lineal regression was used to adjust for significant covariates.nnnRESULTSnA statistically significant inverse association between dietary intake of iron and sperm concentration (P, trend=0.01) and the percentage of progressive motile sperm (P, trend=0.004) were observed. No other significant associations for the remaining sperm parameters or reproductive hormones were detected.nnnCONCLUSIONSnOur results show that high levels of iron may be associated with reduced sperm concentration and motility in young men. However, further studies are needed, particularly in other male populations consulting for infertility problems.

Análisis de la distancia anogenital como herramienta diagnóstica del cáncer de próstata

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVEnThe distance from the genitals to the anus (anogenital distance [AGD]) reflects androgen concentration during prenatal development in mammals. At the present time, there is only one study suggesting the relationship between AGD and risk of prostate cancer (CaP). The goal of this study was to assess the performance and clinical utility of AGD, as a biomarker of prenatal androgenic milieu, and risk of CaP in a larger population, in CaP diagnosis.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnA case-control study was conducted on 260 men seen in a hospital outpatient clinic where underwent a physical and andrological examination and completed a brief questionnaire. CaP patients were confirmed by biopsy of the tumor. Controls were men without CaP seen in the urology outpatient clinic for routine examinations. 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 measured. Parametric and non-parametric tests and receiver operating characteristic (COR) analyses were used to determine relationships between AGD and presence of CaP.nnnRESULTSnThe highest area under the curve (0.69; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.78 and 0.69; 95% CI 0.61 to 0.77) was obtained for the Gleason=7 subgroup with the AGDAS and AGDAP measurement, with a sensitivity and specificity of 83% and 55%, and 91% and 41%, the predictive positive value of 39% and 35% and negative value of 90% and 93% respectively.nnnCONCLUSIONnAGD may be a useful clinical tool for the CaP diagnosis.

Assessment of anogenital distance as a diagnostic tool in polycystic ovary syndrome

RESEARCH QUESTIONnIs anogenital distance (AGD) a useful clinical tool for predicting polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and its main National Institutes of Health (NIH) phenotypes?nnnDESIGNnCase-control study conducted between September 2014 and May 2016 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca in the Murcia region (south-eastern Spain). One hundred and twenty-six cases of PCOS and 159 controls without PCOS were included. AGD measurements were taken from the anterior clitoral surface to the upper verge of the anus (AGDAC), and from the posterior fourchette to the upper verge of the anus (AGDAF). Parametric and non-parametric tests and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess associations between AGD and the presence of PCOS and its phenotypes.nnnRESULTSnAGDAC, but not AGDAF, was associated with PCOS and all its phenotypes (P-valuesu202f<u202f0.001 to 0.048). The highest area under the curve (0.62; 95% confidence interval 0.55 to 0.71) was obtained for all PCOS with AGDAC with a sensitivity and specificity of 50.0% and 73.0%, and positive and negative predictive value of 59.0% and 64.4%, respectively.nnnCONCLUSIONSnAGDAC could moderately discriminate the presence of PCOS and may be a useful clinical tool.

Comparability between adult female anogenital distance and perineal measurements standardized by POP-Q system (GH and PB)

Anogenital distance (AGD) has been proposed as a marker of the prenatal hormonal milieu and potential environmental insults. The measures of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse‐Questionnaire (POP‐Q) system is being widely used in the evaluation of the perineum in women with POP pathologies. Genital hiatus (GH) and perineal body (PB) lengths have been related to both prolapse incidence and recurrence and for pessary treatment failure. The use of AGD in female human studies is now emerging and its comparability with other anthropometric measurements could be relevant. The aim of the study was to compare AGD and POP‐Q system in adult females.

Family environmental factors associated with underage drinking

ABSTRACT Background: Alcohol-related health and social problems amongst underage are increasing globally. Most studies have focused on the quality of parental relationships. However, less evidence is available to support the association between alcohol consumption and the birth order or the interaction between siblings. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between underage alcohol consumption and family structure and family relationships. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among schoolchildren in Murcia Region (Southern Spain) (n = 2290) using an anonymous questionnaire delivered in school settings. Statistical analyses used logistic regression to identify independent predictors of alcohol use. Separate analyses were carried out by sexes. Results: About one-third of the 2290 surveyed students (33.2%) reported alcohol consumption, being significantly higher in boys than girls (35.4% vs. 31.3%, p = 0.041). In general, attending second to fourth course of secondary education (grades 7–10 in North America), being a second child, mother with low educational level or working outside home, and having a bad relationship with parents or siblings were associated with higher risk of alcohol consumption. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the complexity of family interactions, including order or birth and quality of relationship with parents and siblings, may impact alcohol consumption in underage population. However, further studies are warranted to confirm and extend our finding, particularly about the order of siblings.

New approach to the evaluation of perineal measurements to predict the likelihood of the need for an episiotomy

Introduction and hypothesisEpisiotomy is performed selectively during vaginal delivery. Among the maternal anthropometric factors for episiotomy, the length of the perineal body (pb) and genital hiatus (gh) defined as per the POP-Q system have been studied. The objective of our study was to compare two perineal measurements (defined as per the POP-Q system and the anogenital distance [AGD] concept) to determine which of these can predict the likelihood of an episiotomy being performed.MethodsAn observational prospective cohort study was designed. Anthropometric data (pb, gh, symphysis–coccyx distance, distance between ischial tuberosities, AGDaf [anus–fourchette], and AGDac [anus–clitoris]), duration of the second stage of labor, and neonatal biometric data were collected from 119 women included in this study. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t test for unpaired data, Mann–Whitney, and Chi-squared tests. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to compare AGDaf, AGDac, and “ghu2009+u2009pb” with the presence of episiotomy.ResultsA shorter “ghu2009+u2009pb” length and AGDac were risk factors for episiotomy. Compared with AGDac, ghu2009+u2009pb was a slightly better predictor in ROC curve analysis. Furthermore, a longer duration of second-stage labor was evident in the episiotomy group.ConclusionsThis study introduces measures of AGD as risk factors for episiotomy. We propose that “ghu2009+u2009pb” lengthu2009<77xa0mm and AGDac <93xa0mm may predict the likelihood of requiring episiotomy and may be useful for diminishing subjectivity in the decision to perform an episiotomy.