Association of reproductive health with anthropometry, metabolic and psychological parameters in young and middle-aged men

Abstract

Associations between androgens and various metabolic factors, as well as cardiovascular morbidity shown in recent epidemiological studies sparked interest in new aspects of male reproductive health. Reference values for normal androgen levels in Lithuanian population have not yet been established and no relationship studies on reproductive health and anthropometric, as well as metabolic parameters have been performed. Unequivocal information on associations among the aforementioned factors is lacking globally, especially those performed in homogenous populations. More information on androgen associations with cognitive function, emotional state and evaluation of quality of life is required. Most of the studies on effectiveness of testosterone replacement therapy were of short duration and mostly focused on structural, rather than functional parameters. The purpose of the study was to describe associations between reproductive health and anthropometric, metabolic, as well as psychological parameters in young and middle-aged men. This is the largest androgen association analysis in Lithuanian population. This work seeks for systematic responses to questions of interest: to establish reference values for normal and optimal androgen levels, to evaluate their relationship with anthropometric and metabolic factors in populations that are homogenous by age, and to assess the functional changes that long-term optimal testosterone replacement therapy may induce in patients with androgen deficiency