This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Google Scholar Articles by Kerkhof, G. F. Articles by Hokken-Koelega, A. C. S. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kerkhof, G. F. Articles by Hokken-Koelega, A. C. S. Related Collections Pediatric Endocrinology Male Endocrinology

Influence of Preterm Birth and Birth Size on Gonadal Function in Young Men

Department of Pediatrics (G.F.K., R.W.J.L., R.H.W., A.C.S.H.-K.), Subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC/Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3015 GJ Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine (F.H.d.J.), Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (T.S.), Leiden University Medical Centre, 3200 RC Leiden, The Netherlands

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: G. F. Kerkhof, Erasmus MC/Sophia Children’s Hospital, Room SK-0154, Dr. Molewaterplein 60, 3015 GJ Rotterdam, The Netherlands. E-mail: g.kerkhof{at}erasmusmc.nl.

Background/Objectives: Preterm birth has been associated with reduced reproduction rates and being born small for gestational age (SGA) with reduced gonadal function. We hypothesized that alterations concerning gonadal function in young men are not due to preterm birth or being born SGA, but are due to other (environmental) factors.

Methods: In 207 young men of the PROGRAM/PREMS cohort study, aged 18–24 yr, the influence of preterm birth, birth length, and birth weight on serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone, inhibin B, testosterone, SHBG, non-SHBG-bound testosterone, LH, and FSH was analyzed with multiple regression modeling. In addition, markers of male gonadal function were analyzed in four subgroups: men born SGA with either short stature or catch-up growth, or men born appropriate for gestational age with idiopathic short stature or with normal stature (control).

Results: Preterm birth and SGA did not affect gonadal function. After adjustment for age, birth size, adult height, fat mass, and socioeconomic status (SES), preterm birth even showed a positive relation with inhibin B. Higher SES was associated with higher inhibin B levels. Higher fat mass was associated with decreased testosterone and SHBG levels and maternal smoking with increased LH and non-SHBG-bound testosterone levels. After adjustment for confounders, there were no significant differences in gonadal function between the subgroups.

Conclusion: Preterm birth and SGA did not affect gonadal function in young men. Factors that affected gonadal function were: lower SES, a higher fat mass, and maternal smoking during pregnancy.