Do reproductive hormones explain the association between body mass index and semen quality？

Aim： To examine whether reproductive hormones play a role in the association between body mass index （BMI） and semen quality. Methods： Semen quality and testosterone （T）, luteinizing hormone （LH）, follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH） and estradiol （E2） were evaluated in 990 fertile males with age 38.9 ± 9.7 （mean ＋ SD） years recruited from the Chinese general population in 2001 and 2002. Results： Semen quality was reduced among underweight （BMI 〈 18.5） compared with normal （BMI 18.5-24.9） and overweight （BMI 25.0-29.9）, but the associations were independent of reproductive hormones. After adjustment for the potential confounders, underweight men had reductions in sperm concentration （22.4 × 10^6/mL）, total sperm count （52.9× 10^6） and percentage of normal sperm forms （6.9%） compared with men with normal BMI. Being underweight may be a risk factor for low sperm concentration （OR： 4.68, 95% confidence intervals [CI]： 2.01-10.91）. Otherwise, being overweight may be a protected factor for low sperm concentration （OR： 0.25; 95% CI： 0.08-0.83） and low total sperm count （OR： 0.37, 95% CI： 0.15-0.87）. Conclusion： Low BMI was associated with reduced semen quality. The associations between BMI and semen quality were found statistically significant even after adjustment for reproductive hormones. Reproductive hormones cannot explain the association between BMI and semen quality.

Uterine Cavity-shaped Device Used in China

Objective To assess the effectiveness, side effects, and acceptability of copper uterine cavity - shaped intrauterine devices （UCD） with and without indomethacin. Methods We used electronic search and hand search to identify relevant literatures. Included papers were systematically reviewed according to previous established guidelines. Results A total of 39 related papers were identified. Of them, 9papers were included in this review： 4 associated with medicated or non-medicated UCD200 （containing copper 200 mm^2） and 5 associated with medicated or non-medicated UCD300 （containing copper 300 mm^2）. The contraceptive effectiveness, cumulative one-year and two-year continuation rates＇ were similar between medicated UCD200, non-medicated UCD200 and TCu220C. The effectiveness of non-medicated UCD300 was similar to that of TCu220C and TCu200. The effectiveness of medicated UCD300 was similar to that of MLCu375 and TCu220C but lower than that of TCu38OA. The cumulative one-year, three-year and five-year continuation rates were similar between medicated, non-medicated UCD300 and TCu380A or MLCu375. The problem of bleeding was less common among medicated UCD users than among non-medicated devices. Conclusions Uterine cavity-shaped devices should continue to be used in the National Family Planning Proramme. However, priority should be given to the 300 mm^2 copper containing device. A large multicenter randomized comparative trial of UCD300 and TCu380A is needed.

The Association between Interpersonal Relationship and Erectile Dysfunction of Middle-Aged and Elderly Men in a Rural Area of Zhejiang,China

Objective:To explore the association between interpersonal relationship and erectile dysfunction(ED)of middle-aged and elderly men.Methods:A population-based cross-sectional research was conducted in the rural area of Jiashan County,Zhejiang Province,in 2016.Middle-aged and elderly men(aged 40-80)were selected as study participants.The face-to-face questionnaire was collected,including basic information,lifestyles,interpersonal relationship,and sexual function.The interpersonal relationship was evaluated based on marital relationship,neighborhood relationship,and relatives/friends relationship.According to the International index of erectile function,the study participants were divided into ED group(mild ED,moderate-to-severe ED),and non-ED group.Correlations were evaluated between interpersonal relationship indices and the prevalence or the severity of ED.Potential confounders were adjusted by the logistical regression model.Results:There were 674 study participants with average age of 60.4±8.5 years,and 489 ED patients with prevalence of 72.6%.With age increasing,the prevalence and the severity of ED increased significantly.The men who could get help from spouse when an emergency occurred or who were more cared about by their neighbors had lower ED risk,and odds ratios(ORs)(95%confidence intervals[CIs])were 0.23(0.13-0.42)and 0.58(0.46-0.75),respectively.After the adjustment of the covariates(age,education degree,household income,smoking,and drinking),the ORs(95%CIs)were 0.29(0.14-0.60)and 0.54(0.39-0.74),respectively.Good marital relationship and good neighborhood relationship were associated with a less severity of ED.