The effect of ethnicity on semen analysis and hormones in the infertile patient
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.5897Keywords:
ethnicity, semen parameters, hormone levelsAbstract
Introduction: We aimed to study the association of ethnicity on semen parameters and hormones in patients presenting with infertility.
Methods: Data from men presenting for infertility assessment were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. Demographic and clinical history was self-reported. Semen analysis included volume, count, motility, morphology, and vitality. The 2010 World Health Organization cutoffs were used. Baseline total testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were recorded. Ethnicity data was classified as Caucasian, African Canadian, Asian, Indo-Canadian, Native Canadian, Hispanic, and Middle Eastern. All patients with complete data were included and statistical analysis was performed.
Results: A total of 9079 patients were reviewed, of which 3956 patients had complete data. Of these, 839 (21.2%) were azoospermic. After adjusting for age, African Canadians (odds ratio [OR] 1.70; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28‒2.25) and Asians (1.34; 95% CI 1.11‒1.62) were more likely to be azoospermic compared to Caucasians. Similarly, African Canadians (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.33‒2.29) were more likely to be oligospermic and Asians (OR 0.82; 95% CI 0.70‒0.97) less likely to be oligospermic. Low volume was found in African Canadian (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.05‒1.91), Asians (OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.01‒1.51), and Indo-Canadians (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.01‒2.13). Furthermore, Asians (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.57‒0.93) and Hispanics (OR 0.58; 95% CI 034‒0.99) were less likely to have asthenospermia. Asians (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.57‒0.94) and Indo- Canadians (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.35‒0.99) were less likely to have teratozospermia. No differences were seen for vitality. No differences were seen for FSH levels, however, Asians (p<0.01) and Indo- Canadians (p<0.01) were more likely to have lower testosterone.
Conclusions: Our study illustrates that variations in semen analyses and hormones exist in men with infertility. This may provide insight into the workup and management for infertile men from different ethnicities.
Downloads
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
You, the Author(s), assign your copyright in and to the Article to the Canadian Urological Association. This means that you may not, without the prior written permission of the CUA:
- Post the Article on any Web site
- Translate or authorize a translation of the Article
- Copy or otherwise reproduce the Article, in any format, beyond what is permitted under Canadian copyright law, or authorize others to do so
- Copy or otherwise reproduce portions of the Article, including tables and figures, beyond what is permitted under Canadian copyright law, or authorize others to do so.
The CUA encourages use for non-commercial educational purposes and will not unreasonably deny any such permission request.
You retain your moral rights in and to the Article. This means that the CUA may not assert its copyright in such a way that would negatively reflect on your reputation or your right to be associated with the Article.
The CUA also requires you to warrant the following:
- That you are the Author(s) and sole owner(s), that the Article is original and unpublished and that you have not previously assigned copyright or granted a licence to any other third party;
- That all individuals who have made a substantive contribution to the article are acknowledged;
- That the Article does not infringe any proprietary right of any third party and that you have received the permissions necessary to include the work of others in the Article; and
- That the Article does not libel or violate the privacy rights of any third party.