title: Serum hepatic enzyme activity in relation to semen quality and serum reproductive hormone levels among Estonian fertile Men.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the relations of basic semen parameters and reproductive hormones with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). In addition, to examine possible interaction between adiposity, alcohol consumption, and liver tests in relation to male reproductive health, standard semen analysis was performed and serum levels of reproductive hormones and liver tests were measured in 245 male partners of pregnant women at a University Hospital Andrology Centres in Estonia. Quartile analysis revealed that after adjustment for covariates GGT was negatively related to sperm concentration and total sperm count. These significant changes appeared from a GGT >35.5 U/L. Next to these changes ALT was not related to sperm parameters. Both enzymes, GGT and ALT, were not related to reproductive hormones. Alcohol consumption was positively related to GGT and in cases with elevated GGT alcohol use was negatively related to sperm concentration and total sperm count. Alcohol consumption was positively related to body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Our findings also confirm results of previous studies that BMI and WC are associated positively with ALT and GGT. According to the study, increased GGT activity might represent a possible connection between adiposity, alcohol consumption, and semen quality.
authors.affiliation: Andrology Unit, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ehala-Aleksejev
authors.affiliation: Andrology Unit, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Punab
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000473:pathology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004957:Estonia; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000473:pathology; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism; D055101:Semen Analysis; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D000410:Alanine Transaminase
keywords: adiposity; alcohol consumption; liver tests; semen quality; testosterone