Original ArticlesLow birth weight for gestational age and subsequent male gonadal function☆,☆☆
Section snippets
Subjects
Boys (n = 25) born small for gestational age (SGA) (birth weight <10th percentile for gestational age)12 were examined at a mean age of 17.5 ± 1.3 years (range, 15.2-20.8). Mean birth weight was 1689 ± 368 g (range, 800-2050) and mean gestational age was 36 ± 2 weeks (range, 28-40). Subjects with chromosomal, intrauterine infection or syndromal causes for intrauterine growth retardation were excluded. Five of these subjects had been corrected for unilateral (4 cases) or bilateral (1 case)
Results
The study consisted of 49 young men; 25 were SGA and 24 had an appropriate neonatal weight (Table).Although FH SD score was similar in the two groups, TH was significantly lower in the control group because these subjects were followed for constitutional short stature that is often familial. SGA patients did not reach their potential adult stature because they had a decrease of FH compared with TH that was significantly higher than in control subjects.
Mean testicular volume was reduced in SGA
Discussion
The definition of SGA as a birth weight <10th percentile for gestational age is commonly used,14, 15, 16 and SGA children may be at increased risk for some adult diseases.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 A link between male hypogonadism and low birth weight was suggested.17, 18 Francois et al11 correlated unexplained subfertility in men with a reduced birth weight SD score compared with normal controls. Recent clinical investigations have demonstrated the role of inhibin B in the regulation of
Acknowledgements
We thank Stefano Gualandi, PhD, for technical assistance.
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Cited by (94)
Birth characteristics in men with infertility
2020, Reproductive BioMedicine OnlineCitation Excerpt :On the other hand, a registry study from 2001 (Ozturk et al., 2001) found no association between LBW and male infertility (diagnosed using World Health Organization criteria [WHO] from 1999, when the cut-off levels for a normal semen sample were higher). If the fetus is exposed to an unfavourable environment, the risk of altered development of genital organs increases, which might affect reproductive function (Francois et al., 1997; Cicognani et al., 2002; Main et al., 2006; Faure et al., 2015). The aim of the present study was to describe the birth characteristics of male partners in couples with infertility.
Androgen receptor expression in preputial dartos tissue correlates with physiological androgen exposure in congenital malformations of the penis and in controls
2020, Journal of Pediatric UrologyCitation Excerpt :Whether other local mechanisms (e.g., local immunological or vascular factors) show a similar age-related pattern is unclear and warrants further studies. Cryptorchidism and low birth weight occur with increased frequency in boys with hypospadias and may be associated with decreased testicular function later in life [27,28]. However, no difference in AR expression, based on immunohistochemical AR staining, was found in cases with cryptorchidism, nor in those born preterm or SGA in comparison with controls.
Review: Understanding the role of androgens and placental AR variants: Insight into steroid-dependent fetal-placental growth and development
2019, PlacentaCitation Excerpt :It is unclear how androgens affect intrauterine growth outcomes. Human population studies have demonstrated small for gestational age (SGA) male neonates have significantly reduced levels of testosterone when compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates [32]. Similarly, Carlsen et al. [33] demonstrated negative associations between testosterone levels at 17 and 33 weeks’ gestation and birthweight (g) in female neonates.
IUGR: Genetic influences, metabolic problems, environmental associations/triggers, current and future management
2019, Best Practice and Research: Clinical Endocrinology and MetabolismIntrauterine Growth Restriction: Postnatal Monitoring and Outcomes
2019, Pediatric Clinics of North AmericaCitation Excerpt :Insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hyperandrogenism can lead to PCOS in adolescence. Boys who were born SGA may have smaller testicular volume and lower serum inhibin B and testosterone concentrations.109 Growth-restricted boys could have abnormal sperm counts as a result of lower birth weight.
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This paper was partially presented as a poster at the LWPES and ESPE 6th Joint Meeting, July 6-10, 2001, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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Reprint requests: Prof Alessandro Cicognani, MD, Clinica Pediatrica, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Via Massarenti 11, 40138 Bologna, Italy.