Elvira V Bräuner1, Loa Nordkap1, Lærke Priskorn1, Åse Marie Hansen2, Anne Kirstine Bang1, Stine A Holmboe1, Lone Schmidt3, Tina K Jensen1, Niels Jørgensen4. 1. Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; The International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. 2. Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark. 3. Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. 4. Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; The International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: Niels.Joergensen@regionh.dk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between psychological stress and male factor infertility as well as testicular function (semen quality, serum reproductive hormones) and erectile dysfunction. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University Hospital-based research center. PATIENTS: Men with impaired semen quality were included from infertile couples, and men with naturally conceived pregnant partners were used as a reference population. INTERVENTIONS: Participants completed a stressful life events (SLE) questionnaire on health and lifestyle, including a 14-item questionnaire about self-rated psychological stress symptoms and SLEs, had a physical examination performed, delivered a semen sample and had a blood sample drawn. MAIN OUTCOMES: Differences in stress scores (calculated from self-reported stress symptoms) and SLEs between infertile and fertile men were assessed in crude and fully adjusted linear regression models. Secondary outcomes were semen quality, serum reproductive hormones, and erectile dysfunction. RESULTS: Of 423 men, 176 (41.6%) experienced at least one SLE in the 3 months prior to inclusion (50.4%/36.9%: infertile/fertile men, P = .03); β-coefficient and 95% confidence interval for the difference between the groups on the transformed scale in fully adjusted linear regression models was 0.18 (0.06, 0.30). However, there were no differences in psychological stress symptoms between the two groups (β-coefficient and 95% confidence interval) on the transformed scale (0.14; -0.02, 0.30). No association between stress (self-reported stress symptoms and SLEs) and testicular function or with erectile dysfunction was found in any of the men. CONCLUSION: Infertile men reported a higher number of SLEs than fertile men but did not report more psychological stress symptoms. Distress and SLEs were not associated with reduced male reproductive function.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between psychological stress and male factor infertility as well as testicular function (semen quality, serum reproductive hormones) and erectile dysfunction. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University Hospital-based research center. PATIENTS: Men with impaired semen quality were included from infertile couples, and men with naturally conceived pregnant partners were used as a reference population. INTERVENTIONS:Participants completed a stressful life events (SLE) questionnaire on health and lifestyle, including a 14-item questionnaire about self-rated psychological stress symptoms and SLEs, had a physical examination performed, delivered a semen sample and had a blood sample drawn. MAIN OUTCOMES: Differences in stress scores (calculated from self-reported stress symptoms) and SLEs between infertile and fertile men were assessed in crude and fully adjusted linear regression models. Secondary outcomes were semen quality, serum reproductive hormones, and erectile dysfunction. RESULTS: Of 423 men, 176 (41.6%) experienced at least one SLE in the 3 months prior to inclusion (50.4%/36.9%: infertile/fertile men, P = .03); β-coefficient and 95% confidence interval for the difference between the groups on the transformed scale in fully adjusted linear regression models was 0.18 (0.06, 0.30). However, there were no differences in psychological stress symptoms between the two groups (β-coefficient and 95% confidence interval) on the transformed scale (0.14; -0.02, 0.30). No association between stress (self-reported stress symptoms and SLEs) and testicular function or with erectile dysfunction was found in any of the men. CONCLUSION: Infertile men reported a higher number of SLEs than fertile men but did not report more psychological stress symptoms. Distress and SLEs were not associated with reduced male reproductive function.
Authors: Gesthimani Mintziori; Leonidas H Duntas; Stavroula Veneti; Dimitrios G Goulis Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-04-26 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Isidora M Starovlah; Sava M Radovic Pletikosic; Tamara M Tomanic; Marija Lj Medar; Tatjana S Kostic; Silvana A Andric Journal: Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) Date: 2022-07-14 Impact factor: 6.055
Authors: Giuseppe Gullo; Gaspare Cucinella; Antonio Perino; Domenico Gullo; Daniela Segreto; Antonio Simone Laganà; Giovanni Buzzaccarini; Zaira Donarelli; Angelo Marino; Adolfo Allegra; Marianna Maranto; Andrea Roberto Carosso; Piernicola Garofalo; Rossella Tomaiuolo Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-08 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Isidora M Starovlah; Sava M Radovic Pletikosic; Tatjana S Kostic; Silvana A Andric Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2021-05-27 Impact factor: 5.923
Authors: Isidora M Starovlah; Sava M Radovic Pletikosic; Tamara M Tomanic; Marija L J Medar; Tatjana S Kostic; Silvana A Andric Journal: Cells Date: 2022-03-15 Impact factor: 6.600