Male Infertility Increases the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan

Vascular health of fathers with history of intracytoplasmic sperm injection

OBJECTIVE

Studies suggest that men who undergo assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease; however, limited data on this matter is available. This observational pilot study aimed to investigate the overall vascular health of fathers with history of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) compared to fathers whose partners conceived spontaneously.

METHODS

Diet quality, physical activity, sedentary behavior as well as overall vascular function including the assessment of pulse wave analysis, intima-media thickness (cIMT), arterial stiffness of the common carotid artery (CCA) and blood lipids, were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 34 fathers with history of ICSI and 29 controls (48.49 [46.32 - 57.09] years vs. 47.19 [40.62 - 55.18] years, p = 0.061) were included. After adjusting for age, no significantly increased cardiovascular risk was detected regarding vascular function.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest an unaltered cardiovascular risk profile in fathers with history of ICSI. In the future, prospective multicenter studies are required to validate these preliminary results.

Parental infertility and offspring cardiometabolic trajectories: a pooled analysis of three European cohorts

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether parental infertility is associated with differences in cardiometabolic trajectories in offspring.

DESIGN

Pooled observational analysis in three prospective cohorts.

SETTING

Three nationwide pregnancy cohorts.

PATIENTS

A total of 14,609 singletons from the UK Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, the Portuguese Geraçao 21, and the Amsterdam Born Children and Their Development study. Each cohort contributed data up to ages 26, 12, and 13 years, respectively.

INTERVENTION

Parental infertility is defined as time-to-pregnancy of ≥12 months (n = 1,392, 9.5%).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Trajectories of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level, triglycerides level, and glucose level were compared in the offspring of couples with and without infertility. Trajectories were modeled using mixed-effects models with natural cubic splines adjusting for cohort, sex of the offspring, and maternal factors (age, BMI, smoking, educational level, parity, and ethnicity). Predicted levels of cardiometabolic traits up to 25 years of age were compared with parental infertility.

RESULTS

Offspring of couples with infertility had increasingly higher BMI (difference in mean predicted levels by age 25 years: 1.09 kg/m2, 95% confidence interval [0.68-1.50]) and suggestively higher diastolic blood pressure at age 25 years (1.21 mmHg [-0.003 to 2.43]). Their LDL-C tended to be higher, and their HDL-C values tended to be lower over time (age: 25 years, LDL-C: 4.07% [-0.79 to 8.93]; HDL-C: -2.78% [-6.99 to 1.43]). At age 17 years, offspring of couples with infertility had higher waist circumference (1.05 cm [0.11-1.99]) and systolic blood pressure (age: 17 years; 0.93 mmHg [0.044-1.81]), but these differences attenuated at later ages. No intergroup differences in triglyceride and glucose level trajectories were observed. Further adjustment for paternal age, BMI, smoking, and educational level, and both parents' histories of diabetes and hypertension in the cohort with this information available (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children) did not attenuate intergroup differences.

CONCLUSION

Offspring of couples with infertility relative to those of fertile couples have increasingly higher BMI over the years, suggestively higher blood pressure levels, and tend to have greater values of LDL-C and lower values of HDL-C with age.

Prevalence of impaired renal function among childless men as compared to fathers: a population-based study

Male reproductive impairment has been linked with an increased risk of numerous non-communicable diseases. Yet, epidemiological data on renal disease among subfertile men is scarce. Therefore, by using male childlessness as a proxy for male infertility, we aimed to investigate its association with renal function. Data was sourced from a population-based cohort including 22,444 men. After exclusion of men aged < 45 years (n = 10,842), the remaining men were divided into two groups: these being childless (n = 5494) and fathers (n = 6108). Logistic regression was applied to explore the association between male childlessness and renal impairment. Childless men as compared to fathers, were more likely to have an estimated-glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 (OR 1.36, 95 CI 1.08-1.70; p = 0.008). After adjustment for age, marital status, smoking habits, diabetes, hypertension and other components of metabolic syndrome, childless men were also more likely to have dipstick proteinuria (OR 1.85, 95 CI 1.16-2.95; p = 0.01). With the growing panorama of disease associated with male reproductive impairment, men with fertility issues may constitute a target population with potential benefit from closer follow-up of their renal function.

Frequency, morbidity and equity - the case for increased research on male fertility

Currently, most men with infertility cannot be given an aetiology, which reflects a lack of knowledge around gamete production and how it is affected by genetics and the environment. A failure to recognize the burden of male infertility and its potential as a biomarker for systemic illness exists. The absence of such knowledge results in patients generally being treated as a uniform group, for whom the strategy is to bypass the causality using medically assisted reproduction (MAR) techniques. In doing so, opportunities to prevent co-morbidity are missed and the burden of MAR is shifted to the woman. To advance understanding of men's reproductive health, longitudinal and multi-national centres for data and sample collection are essential. Such programmes must enable an integrated view of the consequences of genetics, epigenetics and environmental factors on fertility and offspring health. Definition and possible amelioration of the consequences of MAR for conceived children are needed. Inherent in this statement is the necessity to promote fertility restoration and/or use the least invasive MAR strategy available. To achieve this aim, protocols must be rigorously tested and the move towards personalized medicine encouraged. Equally, education of the public, governments and clinicians on the frequency and consequences of infertility is needed. Health options, including male contraceptives, must be expanded, and the opportunities encompassed in such investment understood. The pressing questions related to male reproductive health, spanning the spectrum of andrology are identified in the Expert Recommendation.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on the Impact of Infertility on Men's General Health

CONTEXT

Male infertility has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide the most critical evidence on the association between infertility and the risk of incident comorbidities in males.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, and registered on PROSPERO. All published studies on infertile versus fertile men regarding overall mortality and risks of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular events were selected from a database search on PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane. Forest plot and quasi-individual patient data meta-analysis were used for pooled analyses. A risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-E tool.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Overall, an increased risk of death from any cause was found for infertile men (hazard risk [HR] 1.37, [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.04-1.81], p = 0.027), and a 30-yr survival probability of 91.0% (95% CI 89.6-92.4%) was found for infertile versus 95.9% (95% CI 95.3-96.4%) for fertile men (p < 0.001). An increased risk emerged of being diagnosed with testis cancer (relative risk [RR] 1.86 [95% CI 1.41-2.45], p < 0.001), melanoma (RR 1.30 [95% CI 1.08-1.56], p = 0.006), and prostate cancer (RR 1.66 [95% CI 1.06-2.61], p < 0.001). As well, an increased risk of diabetes (HR 1.39 [95% CI 1.09-1.71], p = 0.008), with a 30-yr probability of diabetes of 25.0% (95% CI 21.1-26.9%) for infertile versus 17.1% (95% CI 16.1-18.1%) for fertile men (p < 0.001), and an increased risk of cardiovascular events (HR 1.20 [95% CI 1.00-1.44], p = 0.049), with a probability of major cardiovascular events of 13.9% (95% CI 13.3-14.6%) for fertile versus 15.7% (95% CI 14.3-16.9%) for infertile men (p = 0.008), emerged.

CONCLUSIONS

There is statistical evidence that a diagnosis of male infertility is associated with increased risks of death and incident comorbidities. Owing to the overall high risk of bias, results should be interpreted carefully.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Male fertility is a proxy of general men's health and as such should be seen as an opportunity to improve preventive strategies for overall men's health beyond the immediate reproductive goals.

Reproduction as a window for health in men

Male factor infertility is widely considered a harbinger for a man's general health. Failure of reproduction often accompanies other underlying processes, with growing evidence suggesting that a diagnosis of infertility increases the likelihood of developing future cardiac, metabolic, and oncologic diseases. The goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the research on male fertility as a marker for current and future health. A multidisciplinary approach is essential, and there is growing consensus that the male fertility evaluation offers an opportunity to better men's wellness beyond their immediate reproductive ambitions.

The Renaissance of Male Infertility Management in the Golden Age of Andrology

Infertility affects nearly 186 million people worldwide and the male partner is the cause in about half of the cases. Meta-regression data indicate an unexplained decline in sperm concentration and total sperm count over the last four decades, with an increasing prevalence of male infertility. This suggests an urgent need to implement further basic and clinical research in Andrology. Andrology developed as a branch of urology, gynecology, endocrinology, and, dermatology. The first scientific journal devoted to andrological sciences was founded in 1969. Since then, despite great advancements, andrology has encountered several obstacles in its growth. In fact, for cultural reasons, the male partner has often been neglected in the diagnostic and therapeutic workup of the infertile couple. Furthermore, the development of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) has driven a strong impression that this biotechnology can overcome all forms of infertility, with a common belief that having a spermatozoon from a male partner (a sort of sperm donor) is all that is needed to achieve pregnancy. However, clinical practice has shown that the quality of the male gamete is important for a successful ART outcome. Furthermore, the safety of ART has been questioned because of the high prevalence of comorbidities in the offspring of ART conceptions compared to spontaneous conceptions. These issues have paved the way for more research and a greater understanding of the mechanisms of spermatogenesis and male infertility. Consequently, numerous discoveries have been made in the field of andrology, ranging from genetics to several "omics" technologies, oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation, the sixth edition of the WHO manual, artificial intelligence, management of azoospermia, fertility in cancers survivors, artificial testis, 3D printing, gene engineering, stem cells therapy for spermatogenesis, and reconstructive microsurgery and seminal microbiome. Nevertheless, as many cases of male infertility remain idiopathic, further studies are required to improve the clinical management of infertile males. A multidisciplinary strategy involving both clinicians and scientists in basic, translational, and clinical research is the core principle that will allow andrology to overcome its limits and reach further goals. This state-of-the-art article aims to present a historical review of andrology, and, particularly, male infertility, from its "Middle Ages" to its "Renaissance", a golden age of andrology.

Counseling for the man with severe male infertility

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review summarize the proper counseling for men with severe male factor infertility.

RECENT FINDINGS

Men who are experiencing infertility should have a semen analysis, the results of which may imply additional investigations, including genetic and hormonal. Moreover, possible modifiable factors that may harm men's reproductive health should be carefully evaluated. Finally, different treatment options are available.

SUMMARY

Approximately 15% of couples struggle with infertility. Complete evaluations of both men and women are required to determine the etiology of infertility and determine appropriate treatment.

Mechanism of Inflammatory Associated Impairment of Sperm Function, Spermatogenesis and Steroidogenesis

Infection and inflammation are relevant entities of male reproductive disorders that can lead to sub-/infertility. Associated damage of the testis of affected men and in rodent models include leukocytic infiltration, edema formation, fibrosis, germ cell loss and reduced androgen levels. Negative effects on spermatogenesis are thought to be elicited by oxidative stress sustained mostly by increased levels of ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Under normal conditions these cytokines have physiological functions. However, increased levels as seen in inflammation and infection, but also in obesity and cancer are harmful for germ cells and impair steroidogenesis. As a summary, there is mounting evidence that the activation of inflammatory pathways is a rather common feature in various forms of male testicular disorders that extends beyond established infectious/inflammatory cues. This mini review will focus on relevant entities and the mechanisms of how a dysbalance of local testicular factors contributes to disturbances of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis.