Self-rated health and semen quality among 3,457 young Danish men.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between self-rated health (SRH) and semen quality.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study of men attending a compulsory physical examination to determine their fitness for military service from 1996 to 2005.


METHODS
Young men were approached when they were summoned for a compulsory physical examination to determine their fitness for military service in two major Danish cities.


METHODS
A total of 3,457 Danish young men delivered a semen sample, had a physical examination performed, and responded to a questionnaire including a question about SRH.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Semen quality and testis size.


RESULTS
After control for confounders, men with good and poor SRH had, respectively, 0.5 mL (95% CI: -0.8, -0.1) and 0.8 mL (95% CI: -2.4, 0.8) smaller testes size compared to men with very good SRH, the trend was statistically significant. Men with good and poor SRH had, respectively, 12.2% (95% CI: -21.2%, -2.2%) and 26.9% (95% CI: -55.7%, 20.8%) lower total sperm count compared to men with very good SRH, the trend was statistically significant, and had +0.4% (-1.4%, 2.2%) and 1.4% (-3.5%, 0.7%) fewer morphologically normal sperms (trend statistically significant). Percentages of motile spermatozoa and semen volume were not significantly associated with SRH.


CONCLUSIONS
We found significant associations between SRH and semen quality and testicular size. Given the cross-sectional study design, we cannot establish a causal relationship but argue that SRH may be associated with semen quality. Our findings need to be validated and confirmed with other study designs (preferably prospective) and in populations of different age structure and fertility status.
Jensen
Tina K
TK
Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. tkjensen@health.sdu.dk
Jørgensen
Niels
N
Asklund
Camilla
C
Carlsen
Elisabeth
E
Kristensen
Tage S
TS
Holm
Mette
M
Skakkebaek
Niels Erik
NE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology