Associations between Salivary Testosterone Levels, Androgen-Related Genetic Polymorphisms, and Self-Estimated Ejaculation Latency Time

Abstract

IntroductionRecently, testosterone (T) has been shown to be associated with premature ejaculation (PE) symptoms in the literature. Furthermore, studies suggest that the etiology of PE is partly under genetic control.AimThe aim of this study was to reassess findings suggesting an association between testosterone (T) and a key symptom of PE, ejaculation latency time (ELT), as well as exploratively investigating associations between six androgen-related genetic polymorphisms and ELT.Materials and MethodsStatistical analyses were performed on a population-based sample of 1,429 Finnish men aged 18–45 years (M = 26.9, SD = 4.7). Genotype information was available for 1,345–1,429 of these (depending on the polymorphism), and salivary T samples were available from 384 men. Two androgen receptor gene-linked, two 5-alpha-reductase type 2-gene-linked, and two sex hormone-binding globuline gene-linked polymorphisms were genotyped.Main Outcome MeasuresEjaculatory function was assessed using self-reported ELT.ResultsWe found no association between salivary T levels and ELT. We found a nominally significant association between a 5-alpha-reductase type 2-gene-linked polymorphism (rs2208532) and ELT, but this association did not remain significant after correction for multiple testing. One single nucleotide polymorphism in the sex hormone-binding globulin gene (rs1799941) moderated (significantly after correction for multiple testing) the association between salivary T and ELT, so that A:A genotype carriers had significantly lower salivary T levels as a function of increasing ELT compared with other genotype groups.ConclusionsWe were unable to find support for the hypothesis suggesting an association between T levels and ELT, possibly because of the low number of phenotypically extreme cases (the sample used in the present study was population based). Our results concerning genetic associations should be interpreted with caution until replication studies have been conducted. Jern P, Westberg L, Ankarberg-Lindgren C, Johansson A, Gunst A, Sandnabba NK, and Santtila P. Associations between salivary testosterone levels, androgen-related genetic polymorphisms, and self-estimated ejaculation latency time. Sex Med 2014;2:107–114.

The relationship between the second‐to‐fourth digit ratios and lifelong premature ejaculation: a prospective, comparative study

“…In contrast to the above-mentioned studies that indicate the relationship between the T and PE, Jern et al (2014) did not find any association between the salivary T levels and ejaculatory latency times. In another study, Paduch et al (2015) evaluated the efficacy of T replacement in androgen-deficient men with ejaculatory dysfunction, and suggested that T replacement was not associated with significant improvement in ejaculatory dysfunction in these patients.…”

Current and emerging therapies in premature ejaculation: Where we are coming from, where we are going

“…Although that study seems promising, future studies need to further illustrate the underlying mechanism of S. montana . Unfortunately, testosterone levels have not been found to be a negative predictor for PE in humans . In fact, studies have shown that patients with PE have been found to have higher testosterone levels than normal controls .…”

“…Unfortunately, testosterone levels have not been found to be a negative predictor for PE in humans. 128,129 In fact, studies have shown that patients with PE have been found to have higher testosterone levels than normal controls. 128,130 Further study of S. montana in animal models is necessary to identify its ability to increase the ejaculatory latency.…”

Genetics of Human Sexual Behavior: Where We Are, Where We Are Going

“…In a recent study, Jern et al. [98] investigated androgen‐related genetic polymorphisms in PE etiology, including the well‐studied androgen receptor gene‐linked cytosine‐adenine‐guanine (CAG) repeat, reporting an association between the 5‐α‐reductase type 2 gene‐linked SNP rs2208532 and ELT, but this association was no longer robust after controlling for multiple testing. However, a sex hormone binding globulin gene‐linked SNP (rs1799941) was found after correction for multiple tests to moderate the association between salivary testosterone (T) levels and ELT, so that A:A genotype carriers expressed lower T levels as a function of increasing ELT compared to carriers of other genotypes at this locus.…”

“…Possible associations between PE symptoms and a relatively large number of SNPs linked to the OX receptor and AVP receptors 1A and 1B genes were investigated by Jern et al [97], reporting a heterozygote effect for one OX receptor genelinked SNP (rs75775), but leaving open for interpretation which of the two possible alleles at this locus could have an influence on ejaculatory function. In a recent study, Jern et al [98] investigated androgen-related genetic polymorphisms in PE etiology, including the well-studied androgen receptor gene-linked cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeat, reporting an association between the 5-α-reductase type 2 gene-linked SNP rs2208532 and ELT, but this association was no longer robust after controlling for multiple testing. However, a sex hormone binding globulin gene-linked SNP (rs1799941) was found after correction for multiple tests to moderate the association between salivary testosterone (T) levels and ELT, so that A:A genotype carriers expressed lower T levels as a function of increasing ELT compared to carriers of other genotypes at this locus.…”