Semen Quality in Chinese College Students: Associations With Depression and Physical Activity in a Cross-Sectional Study. Issue 6 (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zou, Peng; Wang, Xiaogang; Sun, Lei; Chen, Qing; Yang, Huan; Zhou, Niya; Chen, Hongqiang; Zhang, Guowei; Ling, Xi; Wang, Zhi; Gao, Jianfang; Mo, Min; Huang, Linping; Peng, Kaige; Chen, Sheng; Cui, Zhihong; Liu, Jinyi; Ao, Lin; Cao, Jia
• Is Part Of: Psychosomatic medicine. Volume 80:Issue 6(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: depression -- epidemiology study -- interaction effects -- physical activity -- semen quality -- BMI = body mass index -- E2 = estradiol -- FSH = follicle stimulating hormone -- LH = luteinizing hormone -- MARHCS = Male Reproductive Health in Chongqing College Students -- PA = physical activity -- PRL = prolactin -- PROG = progestin -- T = testosterone -- TET = total exercise time; Medicine, Psychosomatic -- Periodicals; 616.0805
• DOI: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000595
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0033-3174

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective: Behavioral and psychosocial factors have been associated with a decline of the quality of semen. However, the relationship of depression and physical activity (PA) with semen quality remains unclear. Methods: Data were obtained from 587 young male Chinese college students in June 2013. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing life-style factors, the Zung self-rated depression scale, and three items related to PA. They underwent a physical examination and provided a semen sample and a blood sample for reproductive hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin). Results: Men with high depression scores ( n = 63, 10.7%) had lower sperm concentration (M (SD) = 66.9 (74.5) versus 72.6 (56.9) [10 6 /ml], p = .043) and total sperm count (M (SD) = 241.6 (299.7) versus 257.0 (204.0) [10 6 ], p = .024) than nondepressed men. Participants with low PA levels ( n = 99, 16.9%) had lower total sperm count (M (SD) = 204.4 (153.7) versus 265.8 (225.8) [10 6 /ml], p = .017) than participants with higher activity levels. After adjusting for potential confounders, depressed men had 18.90% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.14%–33.47%) lower sperm concentration and 21.84% (95% CI = 3.39%–36.90%) lower total sperm count than nondepressed men. Men with low PA levels had 23.03% (95% CI = 2.80%–46.89%) lower total sperm count than physically active participants. An interaction effect between depression and PA on sperm concentration was detected ( p = .033). There were no significant associations of depression and PA with reproductive hormones ( p > .05). Conclusions: Depression and low levels of PA are associated with lower levels of semen quality, which may have implications for reproductive health. Abstract : Supplemental digital content is available in the text.