Semen and sex-steroid parameters among inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis type according to rectal bleeding grade

Abstract

Introduction: Hypogonadism and inflammato-ry bowel disease (IBD) are often associated. This association may influence sexual and reproductive function in IBD, including sperm profile and sex steroid hormones. Patients and methods: This study included 59 IBD patients diag-nosed with ulcerative colitis type IBD. Anamnesis was carried out regarding the history of the disease, along with a history of rectal bleeding. Evaluation proceeded with sperm and hormone examination if the patient agreed.Results: Progressive motility sperm, immotile sperm, and normal sperm were found to be significantly different between the rectal bleeding groups. In grade 3 (more significant bleeding) progres-sive sperm (24.81 ± 5.85, p < 0.0001) and normal sperm (6.33 ± 12.56, p = 0.0003) rates tended to be lower, while immotile sperm tended to be higher (44.48 ± 11.21, p < 0.0001). Testosterone and free testosterone levels were also reported to be significantly different between groups, where grade 3 had lower levels 255.9 ± 30.08, p = 0.014 and 4.645 ± 0.5, p = 0.002 respectively.Conclusions: Our study shows that the degree of rectal bleeding influences sperm motility and morphology, as well as testos-terone and free testosterone levels. These results can concern managing IBD patients to fulfill reproductive health care.

Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis type) severity shows inverse correlation with semen parameters and testosterone levels

“… 8 Our previous research demonstrated that the degree of rectal bleeding in IBD had a significant impact on testosterone and free testosterone levels. 1 The study also found a significant correlation of semen parameters, particularly progressive motility, immotile spermatozoa, and normal spermatozoa morphology with the degree of rectal bleeding in IBD. 1 Grosen et al .…”

“…IBD is caused by factors such as the immune system, environmental factors, gut flora, and genetics. 1 2 3 IBD is divided into two subtypes: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). The incidence of CD is approximately 2.1–6 per 100 000 people, while UC is seen in 2.2–4.5 per 100 000 people.…”

Associations between sex hormones, receptors, binding proteins and inflammatory bowel disease: a Mendelian randomization study

“…However, this correlation was not observed in UC patients. In male patients with UC, there exists an inverse correlation between testosterone levels and the severity of rectal bleeding ( 12 ). Furthermore, male patients with CD exhibit lower serum testosterone levels compared to healthy individuals ( 13 ).…”

“…For UC, in male patients in remission, there are no significant differences in serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and total testosterone (TT) compared to healthy men ( 11 ). However, studies have indicated a negative correlation between testosterone levels and the extent of rectal bleeding in male UC patients ( 12 ). For CD, in male patients, serum levels of testosterone, estradiol (E2) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) are lower than those in healthy individuals ( 13 ).…”

Among Men, Testosterone Levels Associated with Increased Risk of IBD: a Two-sample Mendelian Randomization Study

“…Hence, a reduction in testosterone levels may have a certain impact on the occurrence and development of chronic diseases. Observational studies have demonstrated a negative correlation between the severity of IBD and sex hormones and semen quality (7) in male patients. Changes in human serum testosterone levels are associated with a variety of diseases, including COVID- 19 (8, 9), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (9), cardiovascular disease (10), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (11) and IBD (12).…”