Anogenital distance is related to ovarian follicular number in young Spanish women: a cross-sectional study

Environmental Health

Research

José J López-Espín¹  Emily S Barrett²  Shanna H Swan³  Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón⁴  Maria-Pilar Mira-Escolano⁴  Jaime Mendiola⁵  Manuela Roca⁵  Alberto M Torres-Cantero⁶ 

[1] Center of Operations Research, Miguel Hernandez University, Elche Campus, 03202, Elche, Spain;Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, 14624, Rochester (NY), USA;Department of Preventive Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, 10029, New York (NY), USA;Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Health and Social Sciences, University of Murcia School of Medicine, Espinardo Campus, 30100, Espinardo (Murcia), Spain;Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Health and Social Sciences, University of Murcia School of Medicine, Espinardo Campus, 30100, Espinardo (Murcia), Spain;Fertilidad Roca, Gestión Clínica Avanzada SLU, Avenida Ronda Sur 20, 30010, Murcia, Spain;Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Health and Social Sciences, University of Murcia School of Medicine, Espinardo Campus, 30100, Espinardo (Murcia), Spain;Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Avenida Teniente Flomesta 5, 30003, Murcia, Spain;

关键词: Androgens;    Anogenital distance;    Increased follicular recruitment;    Ovarian morphology;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1476-069X-11-90

 received in 2012-11-05, accepted in 2012-12-05,  发布年份 2012

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundIn animals, anogenital distance (AGD) at birth reflects androgen levels during pregnancy and predicts adult AGD. Little is known about AGD in relation to female reproductive characteristics in humans, a question this study was designed to explore.MethodsWe used multiple linear and logistic regression analyses to model the relationships between adult female reproductive system characteristics (e.g. ovarian morphology, menstrual cycle) and two measures of AGD [anus-fourchette (AGDAF) and anus-clitoris (AGDAC)] in 100 college-age volunteers in Spain. Ovarian morphology was classified as having < 6 or ≥ 6 follicles per ovary.ResultsBoth AGD measures were positively associated with ovarian follicle number, with AGDAF being more strongly associated. Women in the upper tertile of the AGDAF and AGDAC distributions were more likely to have ≥ 6 ovarian follicles [OR: 6.0 (95% CI 2.0, 17.6) and 3.0 (95% CI 1.1, 8.6), respectively] compared to women in the lowest tertile.ConclusionsIncreased follicular recruitment has been related to excess androgen exposure in utero in toxicological studies. Our results suggest that the androgenic environment during early fetal life may influence reproductive system development, including AGD, in human females.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Mendiola et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2012