(092) Racial/ethnic Differences in Semen Parameters and Male Reproductive Hormones in the United States: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Semen quality and reproductive hormones are key indicators of male fertility potential, but studies have reported inconsistent results on racial/ethnic differences in these factors in the United States. Objective To perform a meta-analysis evaluating pooled differences in semen analysis parameters and male reproductive hormones across racial/ethnic groups in the United States through a systematic literature search. Methods PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched up to December 17, 2022, with no language limitation. All studies on racial/ethnic variations in semen parameters and male reproductive hormones among the general population of the United States were included in this meta-analysis. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) between races/ethnicities were pooled using the random-effects model. Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) was used for risk of bias assessment. Heterogeneity was assessed by the I2 index. Results Our search yielded 731 articles. After screening, 9 studies were included. These studies had a low risk of bias (NOS ≥ 7) and involved a total of 7,641 participants. The pooled analysis showed no significant differences between White and Black men in the percent of total motility (p-value=0.513; I2=99.76%), total testosterone (p-value=0.272; I2=99.79%), free testosterone (p-value=0.220; I2=99.78%), and estradiol (p-value=0.876; I2=96.90%). However, higher sperm concentration (SMD=3.64; 95%CI: 0.18, 7.09; p-value=0.039; I2=99.53%) and total sperm count (SMD=6.04; 95%CI: 0.09, 11.99; p-value=0.046, I2=99.68%) were estimated for White men compared to Black men. Additionally, higher sperm concentration (SMD=1.39; 95%CI: 0.56, 2.23; p-value=0.001, I2=92.06%) and total motility (SMD=3.06; 95%CI: 0.09, 6.02; p-value=0.043, I2=99.14%) were estimated for Hispanic men compared to non-Hispanic men, with no differences in total sperm count (p-value=0.579, I2=97.79%) or total testosterone (p-value=0.078, I2=95.95%) (Figure 1). Conclusions This meta-analysis demonstrated reductions in semen analysis parameters, especially sperm concentration, for Black and non-Hispanic men relative to White and Hispanic men in the United States. Disclosure No.