181 Low birth weight is associated with a higher rate of health-significant comorbidities and worse seminal parameters – results of a cross-sectional study in primary infertile patients

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The raise of the developmental origins of adult disease has positioned low birth weight (LBW) as a significant health issue. We assessed prevalence of, and clinical and seminal impact of different categories of weight at birth in a cohort of white-European men presenting for primary couple’s infertility. METHODS: Complete data from 757 consecutive infertile men were analyzed. Patient with birth weight 2500, 2500 e 4200, and 4200 gr were considered as having LBW, normal birth weight (NBW) and high birth weight (HBW), respectively. Comorbidities were scored with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI; categorized 0 vs 1 vs 2). Body mass index (BMI) was considered for each patient using NIH cut offs [normal weight (18.5e24.9), overweight (25.0e29.9), and class 1 obesity ( 30.0)]. Testicular volume (TV) was assessed with a Prader orchidometer. Semen analysis values were assessed based on 2010 WHO reference criteria. Descriptive statistics detailed the association between semen parameters and clinical characteristics and the defined birth weight categories. RESULTS: Of all, LBW, NBW and HBW were found in 52 (6.9%), 605 (79.9%) and 100 (13.2%) men, respectively. Normal BMI value and BMI suggestive for NIH class 1 obesity was more frequently reported in LBW and HBW (p<0.001), respectively. Of all, LBW reported a higher prevalence of comorbidities (p<0.001). Likewise, hypercholesterolemia (p1⁄40.04) and hypertriglyceridemia (p1⁄40.01) were more frequently reported in both LBW and HBW. LBW had a lower mean TV (p1⁄40.02). At semen analysis, LBW men showed a higher rate of both asthenozoospermia (p1⁄40.02) and teratozoospermia (p1⁄40.02). Overall, ejaculated volume (p1⁄40.006), sperm motility (p1⁄40.02) and normal morphology (p1⁄40.04) were significantly reduced in the LBW group. Likewise, LBW patients presented higher FSH levels (p1⁄40.04) but lower circulating testosterone levels (p1⁄40.03) as compared with the other groups. At MVA, LBW achieved independent predictor status for a higher CCI value (OR 3.7; p<0.001), lower sperm motility (OR 2.7; p<0.04), and lower normal sperm morphology (OR 2.3; p<0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Current findings in infertile patients showed that LBW was associated with a significant higher rate of adult diseases. Clinical, endocrine and semen parameters were significantly worse in the LBW group. These data confirmed the importance of the theory of LBW as a significant predictor of impaired health issue.