The Effect of Serum Ferritin Level on Gonadal, Prolactin, Thyroid Hormones, and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone in Adult Males with Sickle Cell Anemia

Biomarkers of Iron Are Associated with Anterior-Pituitary-Produced Reproductive Hormones in Men with Infertility

Approximately 16% of North American couples are affected by infertility, with 30% of cases being attributable to male factor infertility. The regulation of reproductive hormones via the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is important for spermatogenesis and subsequently male fertility. Maintaining iron homeostasis is critical to normal reproductive physiological function. This cross-sectional study's objective was to determine the association between serum biomarkers of iron and reproductive hormones. Men experiencing infertility (n = 303) were recruited from Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto. Serum was analyzed for iron and ferritin as biomarkers of iron status and reproductive hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, estradiol, and prolactin), which were the primary outcome. Associations were determined using non-parametric Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, linear regressions, and logistic regressions. A significant independent monotonic inverse relationship between serum iron and prolactin (p = 0.0002) was found. In linear regression analyses, iron was inversely associated with luteinizing hormone (unadjusted p = 0.03, adjusted p = 0.03) and prolactin (unadjusted p = 0.001 and adjusted p = 0.003). Serum ferritin was inversely associated with both gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (adjusted p = 0.03), and luteinizing hormone (adjusted p = 0.02). These findings suggest that biomarkers of iron are associated with pituitary-produced reproductive hormones, which play a role in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal signaling pathway involved in spermatogenesis, testicular testosterone production, and male fertility.

17-β-Estradiol and Progesterone as Efficient Predictors of Survival in Older Women Undergoing Hip Fracture Surgery

Objective: Sex hormones have been linked to fractures in older women. The purpose of this present study was to investigate the prognostic impact of preoperative sex hormone levels on 30-day mortality in older women undergoing hip fracture surgery.

Patients and Methods: A total of 157 female subjects with hip fractures were eligible for the study conducted from January 2010 to December 2019. The serum levels of sex hormones [follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, progesterone, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and 17-β-estradiol (E2)] were measured at admission. To evaluate the prognostic significance of sex hormone levels, Cox proportional hazard models and Kaplan–Meier analyses were applied.

Results: Of the 157 subjects, 13 (8.28%) deceased within 30 days. The deceased subjects had lower progesterone (P = 0.021) and E2 (P < 0.001) levels than the surviving group. Higher progesterone (HR = 0.168, 95% CI = 0.037–0.673) and E2 (HR = 0.857, 95% CI = 0.690–0.968) levels were the key protective factors for 30-day mortality in older women undergoing hip fracture surgery. Survival analysis showed that subjects with lower E2 or/and progesterone levels had a significantly higher percentage of 30-day mortality (log-rank test, P < 0.05).

Conclusion: E2 and progesterone might be effective predictors of 30-day mortality in older women undergoing hip fracture surgery.