Male Infertility: a Harbinger of Future Health

Male infertility may be a harbinger of future health. Emerging data suggests that a man’s reproductive health may provide a window into future health. Several studies suggest an association between male infertility and incident cancer. Testis cancer represents the best studied cancer outcome in infertile men. Due to common genetic pathways, it is perhaps simple to imagine how impairments in testicular function may also lead to a high risk of cancer. Studies from several countries have demonstrated that infertile men have a higher risk of testis cancer. The association between prostate cancer and male infertility has also been examined, but there are currently conflicting reports in the literature. In addition, investigators have also examined the association between male infertility and mortality. To date, three studies have been conducted with two demonstrating an inverse relationship between semen quality and mortality. The etiology of the relationship remains uncertain with several plausible hypotheses.