Examining the association between serum free fatty acids and blood levels of testosterone.

BACKGROUND

Multiple studies have uncovered the effects that ingested fat has on human blood levels of testosterone. Yet, few reports have discussed the effect of circulating serum free fatty acids (FFAs). The present study aimed to explore the relationship between serum free fatty acids and blood levels of testosterone.

METHODS

In total, 5719 adults were pooled from the database of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2012. Based on multivariable-linear regression models, we employed a total of 30 FFAs to interpret the relationship of FFAs with blood levels of testosterone. Two models with covariate adjustments were designated for further evaluation and analysis.

RESULTS

Capric acid [β = -0.014, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.023, -0.004, P = 0.005], myristic acid (β = -0.001, 95% CI = -0.001, 0.000, P ≤ 0.001), pentadecanoic acid (β = -0.013, 95% CI = -0.018, -0.008, P ≤ 0.001), margaric acid (β = -0.011, 95% CI = -0.017, -0.005, P ≤ 0.001) and alpha-linolenic acid (β = -0.001, 95% CI = -0.002, 0.000, P = 0.004) in the fully adjusted model were significantly negatively correlated with the testosterone level inh obese men. In the fully adjusted model for the female analysis, myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitic acid, margaric acid, stearic acid, myristoleic acid, oleic acid, nervonic acid and alpha-linolenic acid were found significantly associated with the testosterone level.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate a significant negative correlation between serum FFAs and blood levels of testosterone. Furthermore, we reveal the essentiality of serum FFAs and their potential effects on the reduction of testosterone levels.