Abstract
To study the associations between pubertal timing and semen quality and reproductive hormones, 680 volunteers were recruited from universities in Chongqing, China. Pubertal timing was obtained using a questionnaire. The main measurements were five routine semen parameters and six reproductive hormones. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that early pubertal timing was associated with lower sperm concentration. An one-year increase in age of peak height velocity was associated with a 4.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0 to 8.6) increase in sperm concentration. An one-year increase in age of first spermatorrhea was associated with a 6.4% increase in sperm concentration and a 2.9% decrease in semen volume (95% CI = 1.7 to 11.3, −5.5 to −0.3; respectively). Regarding reproductive hormones, an one-year increase in age of height spurt and peak height velocity was associated with a 6.5% and a 6.7% decrease in estrogen (95% CI = −9.8 to −3.0, −10.4 to −2.8; respectively). While an one-year increase in age of height spurt was associated with higher follicle-stimulating hormone (% change = 2.6, 95% CI = 0.2 to 4.7). This was the first report that has suggested that early pubertal timing is associated with lower sperm concentration. However, further study is still needed to validate this association and fully elucidate the mechanism behind it.
Highlights
Puberty is a critical period as one moves from childhood to reproductive maturity [1]
An one-year increase in age of first spermatorrhea was associated with a 6.4% increase in sperm concentration and a 2.9% decrease in semen volume
An one-year increase in age of height spurt and peak height velocity was associated with a 6.5% and a 6.7% decrease in estrogen
Summary
Puberty is a critical period as one moves from childhood to reproductive maturity [1] During this period, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is triggered, culminating in adult hormonal profiles and physical changes, including growth spurts, testis development, and first spermatorrhea in boys [2]. Pubertal timing is very likely to be associated with male reproductive health. Semen quality and reproductive hormones are well-known predictors for male reproductive health. Routine semen parameters are widely used in research and clinical application [15] Sex hormones, such as estrogen (E2) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), were crucial for the development and maintenance of fertility [16, 17]. Based on a population of 680 young male college students in Chongqing China, we explored that whether pubertal timing was associated with semen quality and reproductive hormones
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