Assessment of semen quality in patients with androgenetic alopecia in an infertility clinic

Abstract

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common cause of hair loss in men. It is associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Additionally, it is suggested that premature AGA could be considered equivalent to that of polycystic ovary syndrome in women. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relation between AGA and the quality of semen. Methods: The semen specimens were collected from 203 young adult men included in the study. AGA was classified according to the Hamilton baldness scale, modified by Norwood. All participants were classified into two categories: normal to mild AGA (equivalent to Norwood types I–II) as Group I and moderate to severe AGA (equivalent to Norwood types III–VII) as Group II to assess the difference in the quality of sperms between the two groups. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the men's age and body mass index scores among the groups. For both Groups I and II, the history of smoking and varicocele was not statistically different (p = 0.62 and p = 0.11, respectively). All parameters of sperm including volume, density, motility, and morphology were significantly lower in participants with moderate to severe AGA than those with normal to mild AGA (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, and p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: This study showed that young adult men with moderate to severe AGA have poor quality of semen compared with those who have normal to mild AGA.

Keywords

• androgenetic alopecia
• male infertility
• semen
• sperm parameters