Manuela Roca

A low intake of antioxidant nutrients is associated with poor semen quality in patients attending fertility clinics

OBJECTIVE To compare specific nutrient intake between normospermic and oligoasthenoteratospermic patients attending infertility clinics in two Mediterranean provinces of Spain. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Private fertility clinics in southeastern Spain. PATIENT(S) Thirty men with poor semen quality (case subjects) and 31 normospermic control subjects of couples attending our fertility clinics. INTERVENTION(S) We recorded dietary habits and nutrient consumption using a food frequency questionnaire adapted to meet specific study objectives. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) We calculated nutrient intakes by multiplying the frequency of use for each food by the nutrient composition of the portion size specified on the food frequency questionnaire and by addition across all foods to obtain a total nutrient intake for each individual. Semen quality was assessed by measuring volume, concentration, motility, and morphology. Hormones levels were also analyzed in case and control subjects. RESULT(S) In the logistic regression, control subjects had a significantly higher intake of carbohydrates, fiber, folate, vitamin C, and lycopene and lower intakes of proteins and total fat. CONCLUSION(S) A low intake of antioxidant nutrients was associated with a poor semen quality in this case-control study of Spanish men attending infertility clinics.

Relationships between heavy metal concentrations in three different body fluids and male reproductive parameters: a pilot study

BackgroundAnimal studies have shown the reproductive toxicity of a number of heavy metals. Very few human observational studies have analyzed the relationship between male reproductive function and heavy metal concentrations in diverse biological fluids.MethodsThe current study assessed the associations between seminal and hormonal parameters and the concentration of the 3 most frequent heavy metal toxicants (lead, cadmium and mercury) in three different body fluids. Sixty one men attending infertility clinics that participated in a case-control study to explore the role of environmental toxins and lifestyles on male infertility were analyzed. Concentration of lead, cadmium and mercury were measured in blood and seminal plasma and whole blood using anodic stripping voltammetry and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Serum samples were analyzed for follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone. Semen analyses were performed according to World Health Organization criteria. Mann-Whitney test and Spearmans rank correlations were used for unadjusted analyses. Multiple linear regression models were performed controlling for age, body mass index and number of cigarettes per day.ResultsThere were no significant differences between cases and controls in the concentrations of heavy metals in any of the three body fluids. In multivariate analyses using all subjects no significant associations were found between serum hormone levels and metal concentrations. However there was a significant positive association between the percentage of immotile sperms and seminal plasma levels of lead and cadmium.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the presence of lead and cadmium in the reproductive tract of men may be related to a moderate alteration of their seminal parameters.

Anogenital distance is related to ovarian follicular number in young Spanish women: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundIn animals, anogenital distance (AGD) at birth reflects androgen levels during pregnancy and predicts adult AGD. Little is known about AGD in relation to female reproductive characteristics in humans, a question this study was designed to explore.MethodsWe used multiple linear and logistic regression analyses to model the relationships between adult female reproductive system characteristics (e.g. ovarian morphology, menstrual cycle) and two measures of AGD [anus-fourchette (AGDAF) and anus-clitoris (AGDAC)] in 100 college-age volunteers in Spain. Ovarian morphology was classified as having < 6 or ≥ 6 follicles per ovary.ResultsBoth AGD measures were positively associated with ovarian follicle number, with AGDAF being more strongly associated. Women in the upper tertile of the AGDAF and AGDAC distributions were more likely to have ≥ 6 ovarian follicles [OR: 6.0 (95% CI 2.0, 17.6) and 3.0 (95% CI 1.1, 8.6), respectively] compared to women in the lowest tertile.ConclusionsIncreased follicular recruitment has been related to excess androgen exposure in utero in toxicological studies. Our results suggest that the androgenic environment during early fetal life may influence reproductive system development, including AGD, in human females.

Anogenital distance of women in relation to their mother’s gynaecological characteristics before or during pregnancy

Animal models suggest that anogenital distance (AGD) at birth reflects androgen concentrations during in-utero development and predicts adult AGD. Several human observational studies show an association between menstrual cycle irregularities and a hyperandrogenic environment and that may result in a potential alteration of the female reproductive tract during in-utero development. This study examined associations between AGD of young women and their mothers gynaecological characteristics before or during pregnancy. This is cross-sectional study of 100 college-age volunteers in southern Spain. Physical and gynaecological examinations were conducted on the young women and they and their mothers completed epidemiological questionnaires on lifestyles and gynaecological history. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the association between AGD measurements (anus-fourchette (AGDAF) and anus-clitoris (AGDAC)) of women and their mothers gynaecological characteristics. Longer AGDAF was associated with the presence of mothers menstrual cycle irregularities before pregnancy (P=0.03). Longer female AGD has been related to excess androgen exposure in utero in toxicological studies. The current findings may be consistent with studies in which an association between menstrual cycle irregularities and an hyperandrogenic environment has been reported, which therefore may result in a potential modification of the female offsprings reproductive tract during in-utero development, including AGD. Rodent models suggest that perineal length at birth reflects male hormone concentrations (androgens) during in-utero development and predicts adult perineal length. Several human studies show a relationship between menstrual cycle irregularities and an excessive androgen environment. We hypothesize that androgen excess may result in a potential alteration of the female reproductive tract during in-utero development. Our aim was to examine associations between perineal length of young women and their mothers gynaecological characteristics before or during pregnancy. This is a study of 100 college-age volunteers in Southern Spain. Physical and gynaecological examinations were conducted on the young women and they and their mothers completed epidemiological questionnaires on lifestyles and gynaecological history. We used multivariate analyses to assess the association between perineal length of women and their mothers gynaecological characteristics. Longer perineal length was associated with the presence of mothers menstrual cycle irregularities before pregnancy. Longer female perineal length has been related to excess androgen exposure in utero in rodent studies. Our findings may be consistent with previous studies in which an association between menstrual cycle irregularities and an excess of androgen has been reported, which therefore may result in a potential modification of the female offsprings reproductive tract during in-utero development, including perineal length.

Occupational and Lifestyle Exposures on Male Infertility: A Mini Review

Human semen quality may be declining due to environmental pollutants, occupational exposures or changes in lifestyle. Nonetheless, we still know little about the impact of those factors on male fertility. Some heavy metals, volatile organic compounds or xenoestrogens may compromise reproductive male function. This process could take place along the human life cycle and not only in certain stages of development. We review the main factors that affect human male fertility and their possible influence in current human reproduction.

Correlations between Different Heavy Metals in Diverse Body Fluids: Studies of Human Semen Quality

It has been hypothesized that exposure to heavy metals may impair male reproduction. To measure the effect produced by low doses of heavy metals on semen parameters, it is necessary to clarify in which body fluids those measurements must be performed. Sixty-one men attending infertility clinics participated in our study. Concentrations of lead, cadmium, and mercury were measured in whole blood, blood plasma, and seminal plasma using spectroanalytical and electrochemical methods. Semen analyses were performed according to World Health Organization criteria. For statistical analysis, Spearmans rank correlations, mean comparison tests, and discriminant analysis were calculated. Significant correlations between the measured concentrations of the three heavy metals in the same biological fluids were observed. However, no similar relationship was seen when comparing the concentrations in different body fluids of the same metal. According to our results and previous publications, seminal plasma might be the best body fluid for assessing impairment of human semen parameters.

Fatty acid intake in relation to reproductive hormones and testicular volume among young healthy men

Emerging evidence suggests that dietary fats may influence testicular function. However, most of the published literature on this field has used semen quality parameters as the only proxy for testicular function. We examined the association of fat intake with circulating reproductive hormone levels and testicular volume among healthy young Spanish men. This is a cross-sectional study among 209 healthy male volunteers conducted between October 2010 and November 2011 in Murcia Region of Spain. Participants completed questionnaires on lifestyle, diet, and smoking, and each underwent a physical examination, and provided a blood sample. Linear regression was used to examine the association between each fatty acid type and reproductive hormone levels and testicular volumes. Monounsaturated fatty acids intake was inversely associated with serum blood levels of calculated free testosterone, total testosterone, and inhibin B. A positive association was observed between the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and luteinizing hormone concentrations. In addition, the intake of trans fatty acids was associated with lower total testosterone and calculated free testosterone concentrations (P trend = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). The intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was positively related to testicular volume while the intake of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids was inversely related to testicular volume. These data suggest that fat intake, and particularly intake of omega 3, omega 6, and trans fatty acids, may influence testicular function.