The relationship between anogenital distance and azoospermia in adult men

Michael L EISENBERG; Michael SHY; R Chanc Walters; Larry I LIPSHULTZ

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2605.2012.01275.x

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The relationship between anogenital distance and azoospermia in adult men

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

The relationship between anogenital distance and azoospermia in adult men

Michael L EISENBERG, Michael SHY, R Chanc Walters and Larry I LIPSHULTZ

International journal of andrology, Vol.35(5), pp.726-730

2012

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2012.01275.x

PMID: 22519659

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Abstract

Anogenital distance (AGD) is a marker for endocrine disruption in animal studies in which decreased male AGD has been associated with testicular dysfunction. The objective of the study was to investigate whether anogenital distance could distinguish men with obstructive azoospermia (OA) from those with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). To accomplish this, azoospermic men were recruited and evaluated at a men's reproductive health clinic in Houston, TX. Anogenital distance (the distance from the posterior aspect of the scrotum to the anal verge) and penile length (PL) were measured using digital calipers. Testis size was estimated by physical examination. Logistic regression was used to compare AGD lengths in men with OA and men with NOA. A total of 69 OA men (mean age: 44.2 ± 9.2) and 29 NOA men (mean age: 32.8 ± 4.8) were recruited. The NOA men possessed significantly shorter mean AGD than the men with OA (AGD: 36.3 vs. 41.9 mm, p = 0.01). An AGD of less than 30 mm, had a 91% specificity in accurately classifying NOA. Moreover, after adjustment for age, race, and BMI, an AGD of less than 30 mm yielded a significantly increased odds of NOA compared to OA (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.0, 30.7). In summary, AGD may provide a novel metric for assessing testicular function in men and in distinguishing OA from NOA.

Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology

Mammalian male genital system

Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics

Birth control

Vertebrates: reproduction

Biological and medical sciences

Medical sciences

Sterility. Assisted procreation

Male genital diseases

Details

Title: Subtitle: The relationship between anogenital distance and azoospermia in adult men
Creators: Michael L EISENBERG - Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
Michael SHY - Division of Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
R Chanc Walters - Division of Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
Larry I LIPSHULTZ - Division of Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: International journal of andrology, Vol.35(5), pp.726-730
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2012.01275.x
PMID: 22519659
NLM abbreviation: Int J Androl
ISSN: 0105-6263
eISSN: 1365-2605
Publisher: Blackwell; Oxford
Language: English
Date published: 2012
Academic Unit: Neurology; Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Record Identifier: 9984013999002771

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