ANAHEIM, CA (UroToday.com) - This study was conducted to as the bone mineral density (osteopenia) The association between BMD and andrologic parameters was also examined. Infertile men were offered BMD determinations with a Schick accuDEXA® scanner of the ring finger of the non-dominant hand. BMD scores andrologic, hormonal, and physical exam findings was examined individually. Of 46 patients ages 18-60, four presented with BMD scores indicative of osteopenia (9%). The prevalence of osteopenia in those patients with total sperm counts of less than 5 million sperm was 21% compared to 3% in those without osteopenia.

Age, BMI, and total testosterone did not correlate significantly with BMD. ANOVA analysis revealed that neither total testosterone, total sperm count, nor FSH differed significantly between the high, normal, and osteopenia groups. BMD correlates significantly with low total sperm count and elevated FSH levels, suggesting that these parameters are risk factors for osteopenia.

The authors suggest that physicians should consider screening severely oligospermic patients for osteopenia.

Editorial Comment:
This interesting study suggests that infertility or more accurately severe oligospermia and its associated hormonal findings (elevated FSH) may be associated with osteopenia. Surprisingly, testosterone levels were not correlated with osteopenia. One would have expected that testosterone would have been correlated in light of our knowledge about hypogonadism and osteopenia. This preliminary study needs to be expanded before one can recommend routine screening for osteopenia in eugonadal infertile men.

Presented By: Daniel M Kaplon and Mark Sigman. Providence, RI.

[ ABST1795 ]

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Written by Harris M. Nagler, MD, a Contributing Editor with UroToday.

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