Serum Bilirubin and Sperm Quality in Adult Population

Abstract

The neurotoxicity of bilirubin has been extensively reported in numerous studies. However, the association between bilirubin and male fertility has not yet been studied. The main goal of this study was to investigate the association between serum total bilirubin and sperm quality in an adult population. In this cross-sectional study, 9057 participants who attended the MJ health examination (2010–2016) were enrolled. Sperm specimens were collected by masturbation, and sperm quality was analyzed in accordance with the WHO criteria. Serum total bilirubin levels were measured by an automatic biochemical profile analyzer. Thereafter, the associations between serum total bilirubin and sperm quality were determined by a multivariable linear regression. Serum total bilirubin was inversely associated with sperm concentration and normal morphology with β values of −13.82 (95% CI: −26.99, −0.64) and −18.38 (95% CI: −30.46, −6.29) after adjusting for covariables. The highest levels of serum total bilirubin were significantly associated with sperm concentration and normal morphology with β values of −14.15 (95% CI: −28.36, 0.06) and −21.15 (95% CI: −33.99, −8.30). Our study highlighted the potential impact of serum bilirubin on sperm quality in a male population. Additional longitudinal research is necessary to explore these findings and underlying mechanisms.