Early Infections and Obesity in Boys May Reduce Key Male Hormone: Study Suggests
Early childhood obesity and common infections like chickenpox may increase the risk of chronic diseases later in life, according to new research published in the journal Andrology. Scientists from the University of Nottingham’s School of Biosciences have found that such early-life health factors are linked to reduced levels of the testis hormone biomarker, insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3), in men by their mid-twenties, a change that could forecast future health complications.
The study builds on previous work demonstrating that INSL3 is a powerful predictor of long-term male health. INSL3 levels are stable in adulthood and reflect the testes' ability to produce testosterone a hormone vital not only for reproductive function but also for maintaining general health, including bone strength, cardiovascular function, and metabolic health.
In the new study, researchers examined data from the “Children of the Nineties” (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children), a large UK birth cohort initiated by the University of Bristol. The team measured INSL3 levels in 24-year-old men and matched them against a wide array of clinical and lifestyle data collected since birth.
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