The Association of Protein Supplements and Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids with Seminal Parameters and Fertility in Men: A Cross-sectional Study.
- 1Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, GT Hospital and Cama-Albless Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- 2Department of Urology, Lokmanya Tilak Medical College and General Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- 3Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, GT Hospital and Cama-Albless Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Abstract
Background
The use of protein supplements (PSs) and anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) has increased globally, particularly among recreational gym users. While the reproductive effects of AAS are well established, data regarding PS and seminal parameters remain limited, especially in South Asian populations.Aim
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of PS and AAS use with seminal parameters in men.Settings and design
This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted at an private Sexual Medicine Clinic in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.Materials and methods
Male participants aged 21-50 years with self-reported PS use, AAS use or both were enrolled and classified into PS users, AAS users and combined PS + AAS users. Healthy volunteers without known sexual complaints or PS/AAS use served as controls. Semen samples were analysed according to the World Health Organization 2010 guidelines.Statistical analysis used
Data were analysed using analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis tests with appropriate post hoc analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results
A total of 170 participants were analysed, including 58 controls, 62 PS users, 18 AAS users and 32 combined users. Significant differences were observed in seminal volume, liquefaction time, sperm concentration, sperm motility and testicular volume (P < 0.05), while seminal pH remained comparable. Abnormal sperm concentration was observed in 50.0% of PS users, 72.2% of AAS users and 78.1% of combined users.Conclusion
PS and AAS exposure were associated with impaired seminal parameters, with the most pronounced abnormalities observed in combined users. Larger prospective multicentre studies are required to validate these findings.
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BibTeX
@article{mutha2026association,
title = {{The Association of Protein Supplements and Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids with Seminal Parameters and Fertility in Men: A Cross-sectional Study.}},
author = {Amit S Mutha and Ajinkya Manish Bavlecha and Vijay R Kulkarni and Ashwini Natekar and Kunal Verma and Jyotsna B Sahai},
journal = {Journal of human reproductive sciences},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_34_26},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923793},
note = {CC BY-NC-SA},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The Association of Protein Supplements and Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids with Seminal Parameters and Fertility in Men: A Cross-sectional Study.
AU - Amit S Mutha
AU - Ajinkya Manish Bavlecha
AU - Vijay R Kulkarni
AU - Ashwini Natekar
AU - Kunal Verma
AU - Jyotsna B Sahai
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Journal of human reproductive sciences
DO - 10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_34_26
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923793
AB - Background The use of protein supplements (PSs) and anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) has increased globally, particularly among recreational gym users. While the reproductive effects of AAS are well established, data regarding PS and seminal parameters remain limited, especially in South Asian populations.Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of PS and AAS use with seminal parameters in men.Settings and design This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted at an private Sexual Medicine Clinic in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.Materials and methods Male participants aged 21-50 years with self-reported PS use, AAS use or both were enrolled and classified into PS users, AAS users and combined PS + AAS users. Healthy volunteers without known sexual complaints or PS/AAS use served as controls. Semen samples were analysed according to the World Health Organization 2010 guidelines.Statistical analysis used Data were analysed using analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis tests with appropriate post hoc analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results A total of 170 participants were analysed, including 58 controls, 62 PS users, 18 AAS users and 32 combined users. Significant differences were observed in seminal volume, liquefaction time, sperm concentration, sperm motility and testicular volume (P < 0.05), while seminal pH remained comparable. Abnormal sperm concentration was observed in 50.0% of PS users, 72.2% of AAS users and 78.1% of combined users.Conclusion PS and AAS exposure were associated with impaired seminal parameters, with the most pronounced abnormalities observed in combined users. Larger prospective multicentre studies are required to validate these findings.
SN - 0974-1208
SN - 1998-4766
ER -