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A North American study of anthropometric factors and semen quality. Fertility and sterility Joseph, M. D., Hatch, E. E., Koenig, M. R., Eisenberg, M. L., Wang, T. R., Sommer, G. J., Stuver, S. O., Rothman, K. J., Wise, L. A. 2023

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between anthropometric measures and semen parameters.DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.SETTING: General population, United States.SUBJECTS: Male participants aged =21 years. We analyzed data from 659 males (1,185 samples) participating in a semen testing substudy of Pregnancy Online Study (PRESTO), a North American preconception cohort study. After enrollment, we invited males aged =21 years to perform at-home semen testing using the Trak system.EXPOSURE: Participants reported selected anthropometric variables (current weight, height, waist circumference, and weight at age 17 years) and covariate data via online baseline questionnaire.OUTCOME: We used generalized estimating equations models to estimate the percent difference in mean log-transformed semen parameter values and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between selected anthropometric variables and semen volume (mL), sperm concentration (million/mL), and total sperm count (million), adjusting for socio-demographics, lifestyle factors, and medical history. We also evaluated WHO-defined thresholds for low semen quality.RESULTS: Percentage differences in mean log-transformed semen volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm count (95% CI) comparing current BMI =35 vs. <25 kg/m2 were -6.3 (-15.8, 4.3), -6.4 (-24.6, 16.2) and -12.2 (-31.1, 11.8), respectively. Percentage differences (95% CIs) comparing waist circumferences of =42 vs. <31 inches were -4.2 (-15.0, 8.0), -6.4 (-27.6, 21.0) and -10.4 (-31.9, 17.9) for semen volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm count, respectively. Greater adult weight gain since age 17 years was associated with reduced semen volume (=25 vs. <5 kg: percent difference -9.7, 95% CI: -18.4, 0.1), but not sperm concentration or total sperm count. The highest categories of each anthropometric variable were generally associated with WHO-defined low total sperm count (=39 million).CONCLUSION: Selected anthropometric factors were modestly associated with poorer semen quality.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.04.040

View details for PubMedID 37164117