The Relation of Birth Weight and Adiposity Across the Life Course to Semen Quality in Middle Age.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Studies of body mass index and semen quality have reported mixed results, but almost all were cross-sectional and many were conducted in selected populations. Longitudinal studies in population-based cohorts are necessary to identify how timing and duration of excess adiposity may affect semen quality.

Methods

In 193 members of the Child Health and Development Studies birth cohort, we examined associations of birth weight and adiposity at six time points spanning early childhood and adulthood with sperm concentration, motility, and morphology at mean age 44 years, as well as with corresponding 2010 World Health Organization (WHO) subfertility reference levels.

Results

Birth weight for gestational age percentile was positively associated with square-root spe

SUBMITTER: Kahn LG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7055633 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature