Fertility, Health and Reproductive History

Katharina Belting, University of Marburg
Hanna Seydel, University of Marburg
Ronny Westerman, University of Marburg
Sabine Groos, University of Marburg
Walter Krause, University of Marburg

In one of the first studies ever on the subject we have reported a higher lifetime mortality rate for subfertile and sterile men without co-morbidity over all age groups in comparison to fertile men. This retrospective cohort study is to explore the association between male fertility and life time morbidity and mortality. Little is known from literature reviews and own research about eventual biological mechanisms behind the reported mortality differentials. Here we go on reporting on a survey of surviving subjects and proxys on life time morbidity and reproductive biography. Databases are general medical and semen parameters of 1375 patients attending the andrological service at Marburg University Hospital in 1949 and later and data from a core interview with 944 survivors and a proxy interview with 431 surviving family members. Results may indicate a protective effect of cohabitating with children (own/foster/adopted/step) for subfertile men.