Diabetes may decrease male fertility, research indicates
14.07.2008 16:00
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
Diabetic men have a higher incidence of infertility because the disease can result in sperm damage, suggests a new study. A group of Belfast researchers studied semen samples from eight men with diabetes who were on insulin therapy, and found the semen samples were lower in volume than those of non-diabetics, and also had DNA damage. The researchers presented their findings Wednesday at the 24th annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Barcelona. "Sperm RNA was significantly altered, and many of the changes we observed are in RNA transcripts involved in DNA repair," Dr. Con Mallidis of Queen's University said in a release. "Diabetics have a significant decrease in their ability to repair sperm DNA, and once this is damaged, it cannot be restored." Poor sperm DNA results in poorer embryo quality, resulting in a lower chance of implantation, a greater chance a woman will miscarry, and possibly cancers among any children diabetic men may have, according to the report. Diabetes is a chronic disease involving abnormalities in the body's ability to use sugar. Excess sugar leads to the accumulation of compounds called advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the male reproductive tract. These have been shown to play a part in damaging DNA. The scientists believe the compounds subsequently affect diabetic men's ability to reproduce. "We must now try to develop strategies to protect sperm, and to diminish the accumulation of AGEs," said Mallidis. He says dietary changes and possibly the use of supplements could disrupt the formation of these compounds that impair male fertility, but that further study is needed. In Canada, over two million people have diabetes, and that number is expected to reach three million by 2010, according to the Canadian Diabetes Association. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal LinksIn Depth: Diabetes, the 21st century epidemicU.S. diabetes death rate down for men, but not women: studyObese men have lower quality sperm: researchersHealth HeadlinesA quarter of Ontarians with diabetes aren't admitting it, study saysMany Ontarians who have been diagnosed with diabetes fail to admit they have the disease, suggesting they may not be managing their condition properly, a new study has found.Heart health benefits of flax studied by Winnipeg researchersThe lowly flax plant may not have the renown of wheat and other crops, but researchers are trying to find out whether it could serve as a new weapon against heart disease.Pioneering heart doctor Michael DeBakey dead at 99Dr. Michael DeBakey, the world-famous cardiovascular surgeon who pioneered such now-common procedures as bypass surgery and invented a host of devices to help heart patients, has died.Pathologists press for national testing standards The Canadian Association of Pathologists says a national protocol is urgently needed to improve testing for diseases, especially breast cancer.Cellphone use potentially risky for kids, teens: health agencyA Toronto health agency is advising teenagers and young children to limit their use of cellphones to avoid potential health risks. Health FeaturesBlogSherraine SchalmI am fencer, hear me roar!IN DEPTHRed, red wineHealth pros and consHEALTHLife spanLongevity secrets from around the worldVIEWPOINT/ANALYSISScience FrictionStephen Strauss on vitamin D and diabetesHEALTH & FITNESSPeter HadzipetrosBreaking up's not that hard to doPeople who read this also read …
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