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Salivary testosterone concentrations in pubertal ICSI boys compared with spontaneously conceived boys

F Belva1, M Bonduelle, J Schiettecatte

  • 1Center for Medical Genetics, UZ Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium. florence.belva@uzbrussel.be

Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|December 9, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Pubertal boys born after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) have normal testosterone levels, similar to those conceived spontaneously. This suggests no immediate risk of gonadal dysfunction in ICSI-conceived males at age 14.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Endocrinology
  • Pediatric Andrology
  • Infertility Treatment Outcomes

Background:

  • Limited data exist on Leydig cell function in pubertal boys conceived via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
  • Assessing gonadal function in children born to fathers with fertility issues is crucial.
  • Testosterone levels serve as a key indicator of testicular function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate Leydig cell function in 14-year-old boys born after ICSI.
  • To compare salivary testosterone levels between ICSI-conceived and spontaneously conceived (SC) boys.
  • To investigate if paternal fertility status impacts testosterone levels in ICSI offspring.

Main Methods:

  • Salivary testosterone levels were measured in the morning for 58 ICSI teenagers and 62 SC boys at age 14.
  • The ICSI group was analyzed based on paternal oligozoospermia status.
  • Statistical comparison of testosterone levels between the groups.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in salivary testosterone levels was observed between ICSI (113 ± 42 pg/ml) and SC (123 ± 56 pg/ml) teenagers.
  • Testosterone levels in ICSI boys whose fathers had severe oligozoospermia were comparable to those whose fathers did not.
  • Paternal fertility status did not appear to influence testosterone levels in ICSI offspring at age 14.

Conclusions:

  • Pubertal boys conceived via ICSI demonstrate comparable testosterone levels to their spontaneously conceived peers.
  • ICSI adolescents with fathers experiencing severe spermatogenesis issues show normal testosterone levels.
  • Long-term monitoring of ICSI teenagers into adulthood is necessary to confirm sustained normal gonadal function.

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