Hormonal imbalances and their implications in fertility of men

Awaiting conception?

Watch out for your man’s fertility stats too, while you screen yours.

Conception is the most awaited and heartfelt news for a couple.

At the same time delay or difficulty in conception is a severe stress inducing factor, especially for women.

Reports from NHS state that in present scenario one out of every seven couples face difficulty in conceiving.

The worst part is women are quick to assume that difficulty lies at their end, and they rush to infertility clinics, for the expensive alternatives as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF).

On the contrary, given the environmental and detrimental lifestyle factors, the real problem might be the compromised reproductive potential of their husband/ partner.

In the course of conception, where the women account for production of egg, the male contributes the semen.

The fusion of egg and sperm later give rise to the fetus that developes as child in the womb of the mother.

Therefore, the parameter that is determinant of the optimal reproductive potential and fertility status of a man is “SEMEN QUALITY”.

The major question is what is semen and what are the components that account for the quality of semen?

Semen is the cocktail of sperm (produced by testes) and seminal proteins (secreted by prostate glands in men).

Sperm carry paternal sets of chromosome and fertilize the ova, while seminal proteins ensure the viability of the sperm.

Anomaly related to morphology and number of sperm or the quantity and functioning of seminal proteins affect the semen, and fertility on the whole.

World Health Organization has set up guidelines for the optimal levels of semen components that account for the good reproductive health of men.

The reference values had been set up for individual parameters as ejaculate volume, pH, sperm concentration, count, motility, viability, and morphology.

Fluctuations from the delimited range in any of these parameters can be correlated with infertility in men.

Decreasing sperm quality: A global trend One of the earliest reports, a meta-analysis observational review by Carlsen and co-workers stated that semen quality of men had declined to 50% since 1940-1990, as a global phenomenon¹.

The figures provided were unbelievably threatening and later supported by varied other studies that emphasised sub-fertile count of sperm in the semen of younger men responsible for the decline in the rate of fertility².

Factors that affect semen quality, fall into two broad categories

(i). Environmental factors

• Occupational and chronic exposure of men to environmental pollutants Heavy metals³, Organic compounds of synthetic origin, Endocrine disrupting chemicals⁴ (EDCs: xenoestrogens, bisphenol-A, phthalates), pesticides⁵ (organochlorines and organophosphates) and several other toxicants either directly affect the reproductive harmony of the system or alter the production, release or activity of hormones.

Such hormonal imbalances arise as a result of interaction of toxicant with hormone receptor or ligand.

• Excessive exposure to heat Sperm developes in testes at a temperature 2-4ºC below body temperature.

Therefore consistent exposure to high temperature can be another crucial factor damaging sperm in men ⁶.

Occupational drivers, ceramic oven operators, bakers are exposed consistently for longer periods to high temperature and lie at a higher risk of alterations in sperm parameters as viability and motility.

• Exposure to radiation in ex-servicemen or veterans who were deployed in warzone or cancer patients who have undergone radiotherapy have semen parameters in subfertile range⁷.

Exposure to radiation directly affects the testicular function and the process of sperm production (Spermatogenesis).

(ii). Lifestyle factors include

• Stress

Psychological stress primarily lowers the serum testosterone level, that which has direct correlation with abnormal sperm morphology and motility.

Oxidative Stress Seminal plasma and red blood cells of infertile men exhibit elevated levels of oxidative stress markers accounting for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage the DNA of the sperm⁸.

• Sedantary lifestyle and Obesity both are critical determinants of declining semen quality.

Obesity affects the hypothalamus- pituitary- gonadal axis, and therefore exerts detrimental effects on spermatogenesis, sperm DNA and sperm binding⁹.

Modifications in sperm DNA (methylation) can also exhibit trans generational effect in the development of the newborn.

• Improper Nutrition Diet rich in processed meat, soy foods, potato, full fat dairy products, coffee, sugar sweetened beverage, alcohol have been found to be associated with deteriorating semen quality¹⁰.
• Smoking tobacco reduces the semen/ ejaculate volume, and accounts for progressive decline in semen quality parameters, as sperm motility¹¹.
• Alcohol abuse primarily targets sperm production and morphology.

Affected spermatogenesis is evident as reduced sperm counts of normal sperm, and increase in the number of abnormal sperm in the seminal pool analyses.

Excessive alcohol consumption has also been found to be associated with azoospermia (complete loss of sperm in semen) ¹².

• Drug abuse inflicts adverse effects on hypothalamic- pituitary- testicular axis, sperm functions, production of testosterone, and testicular dysgenesis.

Androgenic steroids (athletic misuse), cocaine, marijuana, opiods all hamper the optimal sperm genetics and male reproductive health¹³

Do you want to improve your fertility, and achieve your weight loss, fitness or a health goals?

Contact Jazz Alessi by clicking on this link now, here !

Hormonal imbalance and male infertility 

Perturbations in the levels of sex steroids in men are associated with severe reproductive ailments, primarily retarded testicular development, and deteriorated semen quality.

Underlying is the list of hormones that regulate the optimal reproductive functions and the crucial roles they play in the reproductive status of men:

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) released from anterior pituitary in response to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH secretion from hypothalamus) induces the process of spermatogenesis/ sperm production in testes in men.

Leutinizing hormone (LH) is secreted by anterior pituitary, again in response to GnRH secretion.

LH stimulates the interstitial cells of the testes to produce the primary sex hormone, testosterone in men.

Both high FSH and LH levels are associated with hypogonadism (reduced gonadal or testicular size) and gonadotroph adenoma in men.

Reduced or failed gonadal development further reflects the retarded spermatogenesis.

Their Lower levels reflect fertile eunuch syndrome¹⁴.

Testosterone is the male sex hormone produced by testicular cells which is accountable for the development of the secondary sexual characteristics in men, as development of facial and body hair, deepening of the voice, thickening of the larynx, enhanced musculature and enlargement of genital organs, postpuberty.

In alignment with FSH, it is also involved in sperm production.

Reduction in the levels of testosterone is again evident as hypogonadism (also referred to as male menopause) and accompanied with loss of stamina, osteoporosis, weight gain, decreased libido and erections.

Elevated levels of testosterone are often associated with reduced fertility and enlarged prostate¹⁵

Inhibin is produced by sertoli cells in the testes.

It is released in response to a negative feedback regulation, when testosterone, FSH and LH levels are too high, and production of sperm needs to be brought under check.

It enters the circulating system and retards the release of GnRH, which leads to inhibition of FSH and LH, resulting in slowing down of spermatogenesis.

Therefore, it serves as a key hormone to maintain the constant concentration of male sex hormones, and sperm count in men.

Retarded inhibin levels have been found to be associated with testicular dysfunction, exhibiting a positive correlation with classical markers of failed spermatogenesis

Restoration of balance to ensure men’s reproductive success can be achieved by improvement of the lifestyle factors as:

• Healthy diet with low saturated fatty acids and trans-fatty acids and enriched in nutrients, as omega-3 fatty acids¹⁶, antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C), other vitamins (vitamin D and folate), cereals, vegetables fruits etc, are associated with optimal sperm quality parameters.

• Antioxidants therapy Oral administration of certain antioxidants(vitamin E, vitamin C, β-carotene, selenium, zinc, cryptoxanthin and lycopene), maintain the integrity of sperm DNA, improve sperm concentration and mobility.

• Weight management male fertility, and offspring health, can be improved by weight loss in obese and overweight males. Weight loss can significantly increase semen volume, its concentration, its mobility and percentage of normal sperm morphology in the seminal pool¹⁷.

• Therapeutic interventions Other than conventional male sex hormones, abnormal thyroid profiles directly affect male fertility by hampering testicular development and spermatogenesis ¹⁸.

Retarded gonadal morphogenesis in terms of reduced testicular size, and lowered ejaculate volume and sperm motility are the preliminary effects of altered thyroid signalling.

Normalising the levels of thyroid by medications has reversible effect on the male fertility.

Administering FSH normalises ultrastructural morphology of spermatozoa (sperm).

Besides it also counteracts the effect of the reactive oxygen species, and prevents sperm DNA fragmentation.

            Androgen Replacement therapy – Perturbations with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, leads to impairment of reproductive functions and clinical syndrome of hygonadism.

In such cases androgen replacement therapy is another well sought means to improve spermatogenesis while elevating testosterone levels and counteracting the effects of hypogonadism¹⁹ .

Do you want to improve your fertility, and achieve your weight loss, fitness or a health goals?

Contact Jazz Alessi by clicking on this link now, here !

Take control of your fertility: Join a personalised training programme

Improvement in the male reproductive health does not have the intensive alternatives often present with restoration of female fertility.

The hormonal administration approach has its own limitations and therefore is not a final solution to all the hormonal imbalance induced adversities in men.

The risks of prostate cancer, adverse cardiovascular effects involving heart attacks, strokes in subjects undertaking androgen replacement therapy are the major associated cons.

Therefore to avoid the excessive therapeutic intrusion and the associated health hazards, optimising the healthy lifestyle factors in the best possible way to harness maximum health benefits is the most reasonable and safest of all the approaches.

In this perspective other than adequate diet, men would consider physical activity/ exercise to be the best striking approach to improved physical fitness and therefore reproductive health.

Exercise does protect against obesity induced semen abnormalities, by lowering oxidative stress ²⁰ .

But in pre-clinical models there exists a paradox: exercise/ physical training negatively modulate the health determinants of male reproductive system- including spermatogenesis, testosterone biosynthesis, and energy supply.

The reason being induction of apoptosis that leads to impairment of spermatogenesis, leading to compromised male fertility.

Short term Exhaustive Endurance Exercise (EEE) in normal men, induced a reversible alteration in the hypothalamus- pituitary- gonadal axis that subsequently altered the fertility parameters²¹.

The effects were similar to those observed in professional athletes.

Sperm DNA damage (chromatin fragmentation) and therefore low fertility levels were also observed in athletes undergoing high level sport practice or high loads of endurance training²².

Therefore, the fact that men’s idea of unsupervised endurance or strenuous exercise and workout to enhance building muscle might give positive results in regard to building muscle mass, but compromised fertility and lower sperm counts could be the price men could be paying, without even realising the after effects and gravity of the situation.

This marks the crucial importance of a supervised physical training programme, where the pros and cons of different training modules – strength, endurance, weight, or regular exercise are well known to a professional elite personal trainer in London, and exercise schedule is first given consideration depending upon the requirement and health status of the client and then finalised for implementation.

Do you want to improve your fertility, and achieve your weight loss, fitness or a health goals?

Contact Jazz Alessi by clicking on this link now, here !

Supervised Programme by Jazz Alessi

After having discussed the negative impact of exhaustive endurance exercise on male reproductive health, and generalised positive facet of physical activity on innumerable other health issues, if I present the supervised personal training programmes for men as crucially vital approach, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

In absence of the accurate information and logic behind the training schedule, many men could do more harm than benefit to their health.

Therefore hiring a supervising certified elite personal trainer if the best choice, if you are looking for enhancing the muscle mass by following a strenuous exercise regimen.

Under the supervision of an elite and certified trainer hormonal balance can be well restored without any negative implications or feedbacks.

Individualistic and customised approach of personal training regimen offered by Jazz is the best and one of its kind.

In addition to being an elite personal trainer and anti-ageing specialist, Jazz Alessi is a certified nutritionist.

He represents a wholesome package who not only understands the adequate exercise regime suited to his clients, but also carries indepth knowledge of how diet and complementary nutrients can combat and exterminate the adverse and negative aspects of training.

The most striking features of the improve fertility supervised programme offered by Jazz are:

• Personalised awareness to the implications and effects of physical activity, diet and weight management towards a healthy, and fit living.
• Provide with personalised proper nutrition and exercise cusomisation advice in compliance to the requirement and medical status of client, which helps restore hormonal balance, and eliminate hormonal adversities.
• Formulate customised physical training strategies accompanied with complementary multiple types of supplement enriched nutrient plan that help men to attain performance, muscle building without compromising their reproductive success or fertility.
• Keeping the client inspired, very motivated and accountable to the programme and deadline, that enables them to track their individualised progress and performance in a particular duration.
• Ability to harnesses maximum physical and physiological benefit in shortest span possible

Who’s Jazz Alessi

Long term certified nutritionist, and elite personal trainer, weight loss expert, and lifestyle anti-ageing specialisation are the degrees that do define yet not entirely encompass the knowledge and massive expertise that Jazz has in the field of nutrition, optimum health and physical fitness.

Jazz’s indepth knowledge of the human physiology and staying updated on the ongoing scientific advancements relevant to nutrition and fitness has made him proficient in targeting the endpoints and health determinants that alongside medical supervision can be manipulated by physical activity, nutrition and lifestyle.

It is important to generate awareness a scientific discourse towards the ill effects of lifestyle factors that hamper optimal health but, also to offer effective and practical solutions, the best supervision and the best personal training in London for the maintenance of a balanced lifestyle and fitness enriched health.

Do you want the best nutritionist and most trustworthy elite personal trainer in London?

Contact Jazz at this link now, here.

References

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