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Cited by 107Hormonal and reproductive studiesSmoking Behavior and CessationSperm and Testicular Function

Effect of cigarette smoking on levels of bioavailable testosterone in healthy men

ENGLISH, Katherine M., PUGH, Peter J., PARRY, Helen, SCUTT, Nanette E., CHANNER, Kevin S., JONES, T. Hugh·2001·Clinical Science
DOI 10.1042/cs1000661
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Abstract

The effect of smoking on androgen levels is important given the recent interest in the link between low levels of androgens and the development of cardiovascular disease. Numerous studies examining the effects of cigarette smoking on the levels of total and free testosterone have reported conflicting findings, but there has been no accurate assessment of the effects of cigarette smoking on the levels of bioavailable testosterone [not bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)]. We attempted to determine whether smoking affects the level of bioavailable testosterone. We undertook a case-control study of 25 healthy male smokers and 25 healthy never-smokers, matched by age and body mass index. Early morning levels of total, free and bioavailable testosterone, 17β-oestradiol, SHBG and cotinine were determined and compared between the two groups. Levels of total (18.5 ± 4.6 ± nM versus 15.1 ± 4.9 ± nM, P = 0.01) and free testosterone (462 ± 91 ± pM versus 402 ± 93 ± pM, P = 0.03) were found to be higher in smokers compared with non-smokers respectively, as was SHBG (34.1 ± 12.8 versus 28.1 ± 9.0 ± nM, P = 0.06). There were no significant differences in the levels of bioavailable testosterone (3.78 ± 1.59 versus 3.51 ± 1.26 ± nM, P = 0.49) or 17β-oestradiol (44.5 ± 11.4 versus 42.3 ± 11.5 ± pM, P = 0.50) between smokers and non-smokers respectively. These data suggest that cigarette smoking has no significant effect on the biologically active fraction of testosterone, but may influence the levels of total and free testosterone through changes in the levels of SHBG.

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  • In men, findings on testosterone levels in smokers versus nonsmokers are contradictory; some studies found similar levels, while others found higher levels in smokers.

    “In men, there are contradictory findings; some studies found levels of testosterone were similar in both smokers and nonsmokers, while other studies found levels of testosterone were higher in smokers [35, 60–62].”

    From The Effect of Tobacco Smoking on Bone Mass: An Overview of Pathophysiologic Mechanisms (2018) · cites this paper as [61]

  • The majority of studies that included SHBG levels confirmed that SHBG levels in smokers are higher, and both free and total testosterone are increased in smokers.

    “the majority of studies which also included SHBG levels confirmed that SHGB levels in smokers are higher, and both free and total testosterone are increased in smokers”

    From Effects of Smoking Cessation on Hormonal Levels in Men (2013) · cites this paper as English et al. 2001

  • In some studies, current smokers had higher circulating concentrations of total testosterone, free testosterone, total estradiol and SHBG.

    “In some studies, current smokers had higher circulating concentrations of total testosterone, free testosterone, total estradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) [16, 18–23]”

    From Association of cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity with sex steroid hormone levels in US men (2009) · cites this paper as [21]

  • In males, findings on testosterone levels in smokers versus nonsmokers are contradictory.

    “In males, current findings are contradictory. Some research indicated testosterone levels were comparable between smokers and nonsmokers, whereas other research showed that smokers had higher testosterone levels than nonsmokers [58,59].”

    From An Overlooked Bone Metabolic Disorder: Cigarette Smoking-Induced Osteoporosis (2022) · cites this paper as [58]

  • No significant differences have been reported in bioavailable testosterone levels between smokers and nonsmokers.

    “However, no significant differences have been reported in bioavailable testosterone levels between smokers and nonsmokers (42).”

    From Clinical and Biochemical Assessment of Hypogonadism in Men With Type 2 Diabetes (2007) · cites this paper as [42]

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Authors
ENGLISH, K. M., PUGH, P. J., PARRY, H., SCUTT, N. E., CHANNER, K. S., & JONES, T. H.
Affiliations
  • Royal Hallamshire Hospital (GB)
  • University of Sheffield (GB)
  • Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Clinical Science
Publisher
Portland Press Ltd.
Published
2001-05-14
Volume
100
Issue
6
Pages
661-665
ISSN
  • 0143-5221 (ISSN-L)
  • 1470-8736
DOI
10.1042/cs1000661
OpenAlex
W1964756977
Cited by
107
References
30
Citations by year
2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 7
FWCI
2.99
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Clinical Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
Keywords
cigarette smoking, bioavailable testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, free testosterone, total testosterone, estradiol, cotinine, androgens, cardiovascular risk, healthy men
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Biological Availability, Estradiol, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin, Smoking, Testosterone, Case-Control Studies

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