Semen quality of male smokers and nonsmokers in infertile couples.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on main sperm variables.


METHODS
Cohort study.


METHODS
Men attending the andrology laboratory in the context of infertility investigation in the couple.


METHODS
Eight hundred thirty-nine smokers and 1,266 non-smokers were enrolled; 655 smokers and 1,131 nonsmokers fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were compared. Standard clinical analysis of semen.


RESULTS
Cigarette smoking was associated with a significant decrease in sperm density (-15.3%), total sperm count (-17.5%), total number of motile sperm (-16.6%), and citrate concentration (-22.4%). The percentage of normal forms was significantly reduced in smokers, and sperm vitality, ejaculate volume, and fructose concentration were slightly but nonsignificantly affected.


CONCLUSIONS
Cigarette smoking is associated with reduced semen quality.
Künzle
Robert
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland.
Mueller
Michael D
MD
Hänggi
Willy
W
Birkhäuser
Martin H
MH
Drescher
Heinz
H
Bersinger
Nick A
NA
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D002951:Citrates / Q000032:analysis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004542:Ejaculation; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility
D002951:Citrates; D005632:Fructose