Anogenital distance and variability in semen parameters

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Andrology
• Human fertility studies

Background:

• Anogenital distance (AGD) is a potential biomarker for prenatal androgen exposure.
• Variability in semen parameters can impact male reproductive health.
• Understanding factors influencing semen quality is crucial for fertility assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between anogenital distance (AGD) and semen parameter variability in healthy males.
• To determine if specific AGD measurements predict intra-individual variations in sperm characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Semen parameters (WHO guidelines) and sperm DNA fragmentation were analyzed in 160 samples from 16 healthy males.
• Two AGD measurements were taken: AGD_AS (anus to scrotum) and AGD_AP (anus to penis).
• Statistical analyses included coefficient of variation (CV, CV_i), generalized linear models, and mixed-effects models.

Main Results:

• Shortened AGD_AP correlated with increased intra-individual variability in sperm concentration, total count, and morphology.
• Longer AGD_AS was associated with greater total sperm motility (PR+NP).
• Shortened AGD_AS showed less intra-individual variability in total sperm motility.

Conclusions:

• Anogenital distance measurements are significantly associated with intra-individual variability in semen parameters.
• AGD may serve as a predictive indicator for semen quality variability in men.
• Further research can explore AGD as a non-invasive tool in reproductive health evaluations.