title: Early Life Events Predict Adult Testicular Function; Data Derived From the Western Australian (Raine) Birth Cohort.
abstract: The impact of early life events on testicular function in adulthood is not well understood.
  
  
  
  To study the early influences of fetal growth, exposures to cigarette smoke in utero and cord blood estrogens, and the influences of growth and adiposity in childhood through adolescence; on testicular function in adulthood.
  
  
  
  Male members of the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) were contacted at 20-22 years of age. Of 913 contacted, 423 (56%) agreed to participate; 404 underwent a testicular ultrasound, 365 provided a semen sample, and reproductive hormones were measured (384). Fetal growth measurements (n = 137), umbilical cord estrogen concentrations (n = 128), cord testosterone (T) (n = 125), and child-adulthood growth charts (n = 395) were available.
  
  
  
  Median sperm output for the 18.6% of men exposed in utero to smoking was lower than nonexposed (82.4 × 10(6) vs 123.1 × 10(6); P = .029). Sperm output in adulthood was inversely correlated with cord serum estradiol (P = .019) and estrone (P = .018). The sperm output of men whose cord blood estradiol and estrone were less than 50th percentile vs more than 50th percentile was 191.1 × 10(6) vs 100.5 × 10(6) (P = .002) and 190.0 × 10(6) vs 106.0 × 10(6) (P = .012), respectively. Men with favorable fetal growth patterns in utero were less likely to have total motile sperm counts within the lowest quartile (P = .011), and men born prematurely had reduced serum T levels in adulthood (13.4 vs 16.6nmol/L, P = .024). Consistent height above the 50th percentile for age through childhood was associated with larger adult mean testicular volume (P < .001). Optimal body mass index trajectory through childhood and adolescence was associated with larger testicular volume (P = .009) and higher serum inhibin B (P = .010) and T (P = .003) in adulthood.
  
  
  
  Exposures to maternal smoking and higher cord blood estrogens at delivery were associated with a reduced sperm output in adulthood. Optimal adult testicular function depends on being born at or above average weight, and maintaining optimal growth and adiposity into adulthood.
authors.affiliation: School of Women's and Infants' Health (R.J.H., D.A.D., J.A.K., J.E.D., C.E.P., J.P.N.), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Fertility Specialists of Western Australia (R.J.H.), Bethesda Hospital, Claremont, Western Australia 6010, Australia; Women and Infants Research Foundation (D.A.D., J.A.K., C.E.P., J.P.N.), King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.M.), Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash University (R.M.), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; University Department of Growth and Reproduction (N.E.S.), Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Robinson Institute (R.J.N.), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (M.H.), The University of Melbourne, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia; and ANZAC Research Institute (D.J.H.), University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2139, Australia.
authors.forename: Roger J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.affiliation: School of Women's and Infants' Health (R.J.H., D.A.D., J.A.K., J.E.D., C.E.P., J.P.N.), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Fertility Specialists of Western Australia (R.J.H.), Bethesda Hospital, Claremont, Western Australia 6010, Australia; Women and Infants Research Foundation (D.A.D., J.A.K., C.E.P., J.P.N.), King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.M.), Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash University (R.M.), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; University Department of Growth and Reproduction (N.E.S.), Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Robinson Institute (R.J.N.), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (M.H.), The University of Melbourne, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia; and ANZAC Research Institute (D.J.H.), University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2139, Australia.
authors.forename: Dorota A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Doherty
authors.affiliation: School of Women's and Infants' Health (R.J.H., D.A.D., J.A.K., J.E.D., C.E.P., J.P.N.), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Fertility Specialists of Western Australia (R.J.H.), Bethesda Hospital, Claremont, Western Australia 6010, Australia; Women and Infants Research Foundation (D.A.D., J.A.K., C.E.P., J.P.N.), King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.M.), Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash University (R.M.), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; University Department of Growth and Reproduction (N.E.S.), Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Robinson Institute (R.J.N.), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (M.H.), The University of Melbourne, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia; and ANZAC Research Institute (D.J.H.), University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2139, Australia.
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Keelan
authors.affiliation: School of Women's and Infants' Health (R.J.H., D.A.D., J.A.K., J.E.D., C.E.P., J.P.N.), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Fertility Specialists of Western Australia (R.J.H.), Bethesda Hospital, Claremont, Western Australia 6010, Australia; Women and Infants Research Foundation (D.A.D., J.A.K., C.E.P., J.P.N.), King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.M.), Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash University (R.M.), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; University Department of Growth and Reproduction (N.E.S.), Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Robinson Institute (R.J.N.), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (M.H.), The University of Melbourne, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia; and ANZAC Research Institute (D.J.H.), University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2139, Australia.
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McLachlan
authors.affiliation: School of Women's and Infants' Health (R.J.H., D.A.D., J.A.K., J.E.D., C.E.P., J.P.N.), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Fertility Specialists of Western Australia (R.J.H.), Bethesda Hospital, Claremont, Western Australia 6010, Australia; Women and Infants Research Foundation (D.A.D., J.A.K., C.E.P., J.P.N.), King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.M.), Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash University (R.M.), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; University Department of Growth and Reproduction (N.E.S.), Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Robinson Institute (R.J.N.), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (M.H.), The University of Melbourne, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia; and ANZAC Research Institute (D.J.H.), University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2139, Australia.
authors.forename: Niels E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Skakkebaek
authors.affiliation: School of Women's and Infants' Health (R.J.H., D.A.D., J.A.K., J.E.D., C.E.P., J.P.N.), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Fertility Specialists of Western Australia (R.J.H.), Bethesda Hospital, Claremont, Western Australia 6010, Australia; Women and Infants Research Foundation (D.A.D., J.A.K., C.E.P., J.P.N.), King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.M.), Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash University (R.M.), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; University Department of Growth and Reproduction (N.E.S.), Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Robinson Institute (R.J.N.), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (M.H.), The University of Melbourne, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia; and ANZAC Research Institute (D.J.H.), University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2139, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.affiliation: School of Women's and Infants' Health (R.J.H., D.A.D., J.A.K., J.E.D., C.E.P., J.P.N.), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Fertility Specialists of Western Australia (R.J.H.), Bethesda Hospital, Claremont, Western Australia 6010, Australia; Women and Infants Research Foundation (D.A.D., J.A.K., C.E.P., J.P.N.), King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.M.), Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash University (R.M.), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; University Department of Growth and Reproduction (N.E.S.), Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Robinson Institute (R.J.N.), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (M.H.), The University of Melbourne, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia; and ANZAC Research Institute (D.J.H.), University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2139, Australia.
authors.forename: Jan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Dickinson
authors.affiliation: School of Women's and Infants' Health (R.J.H., D.A.D., J.A.K., J.E.D., C.E.P., J.P.N.), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Fertility Specialists of Western Australia (R.J.H.), Bethesda Hospital, Claremont, Western Australia 6010, Australia; Women and Infants Research Foundation (D.A.D., J.A.K., C.E.P., J.P.N.), King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.M.), Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash University (R.M.), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; University Department of Growth and Reproduction (N.E.S.), Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Robinson Institute (R.J.N.), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (M.H.), The University of Melbourne, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia; and ANZAC Research Institute (D.J.H.), University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2139, Australia.
authors.forename: Craig E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Pennell
authors.affiliation: School of Women's and Infants' Health (R.J.H., D.A.D., J.A.K., J.E.D., C.E.P., J.P.N.), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Fertility Specialists of Western Australia (R.J.H.), Bethesda Hospital, Claremont, Western Australia 6010, Australia; Women and Infants Research Foundation (D.A.D., J.A.K., C.E.P., J.P.N.), King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.M.), Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash University (R.M.), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; University Department of Growth and Reproduction (N.E.S.), Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Robinson Institute (R.J.N.), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (M.H.), The University of Melbourne, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia; and ANZAC Research Institute (D.J.H.), University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2139, Australia.
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Newnham
authors.affiliation: School of Women's and Infants' Health (R.J.H., D.A.D., J.A.K., J.E.D., C.E.P., J.P.N.), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Fertility Specialists of Western Australia (R.J.H.), Bethesda Hospital, Claremont, Western Australia 6010, Australia; Women and Infants Research Foundation (D.A.D., J.A.K., C.E.P., J.P.N.), King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.M.), Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash University (R.M.), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; University Department of Growth and Reproduction (N.E.S.), Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Robinson Institute (R.J.N.), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (M.H.), The University of Melbourne, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia; and ANZAC Research Institute (D.J.H.), University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2139, Australia.
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hickey
authors.affiliation: School of Women's and Infants' Health (R.J.H., D.A.D., J.A.K., J.E.D., C.E.P., J.P.N.), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Fertility Specialists of Western Australia (R.J.H.), Bethesda Hospital, Claremont, Western Australia 6010, Australia; Women and Infants Research Foundation (D.A.D., J.A.K., C.E.P., J.P.N.), King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Western Australia 6008, Australia; Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism (R.M.), Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash University (R.M.), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; University Department of Growth and Reproduction (N.E.S.), Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Robinson Institute (R.J.N.), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (M.H.), The University of Melbourne, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia; and ANZAC Research Institute (D.J.H.), University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2139, Australia.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Handelsman
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000187:drug effects; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D011627:Puberty / Q000187:drug effects; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013076:Sperm Count; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004967:Estrogens; D013739:Testosterone