Association between tobacco exposure and reproductive parameters in adolescent males
Open accessAbstract
Summary: Cigarette smoking is quite prevalent in the general population but our knowledge of its effect on male reproductive function is still very limited. Therefore, we investigated the impact of tobacco exposure on reproductive characteristics in young males. Military conscripts, 217 non‐smokers and 85 smokers, with a median age of 18 years were enrolled. Physical examination and semen analysis, including measurement of accessory sex gland markers and reproductive hormone levels, were performed. Lifestyle‐associated factors, including maternal smoking during pregnancy and snuffing, were recorded. Non‐smokers had 49% higher total sperm number than smokers (95% CI 4.5–112%, p = 0.01). In addition, sperm concentration was 37% higher among non‐smokers (95% CI −4% to 95%, p = 0.08). Serum levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) were 17% higher among non‐smokers (95% CI 3–33%, p = 0.02), whereas no significant differences between smokers and non‐smokers were found for inhibin B, testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, luteinizing hormone and oestradiol. Those who smoked >10 cigarettes per day exhibited 37% lower (95% CI 10–69%, p = 0.005) FSH levels than those who smoked less. Maternal smoking during pregnancy had a negative impact on epididymal and seminal vesicle marker secretion. Smoking seems to impair sperm production and epididymal as well as accessory sex gland function and could be one of the factors contributing to regional differences in sperm parameters.
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The reported effects of smoking on testosterone levels in men are controversial, with some evidence suggesting no association and others reporting higher or lower total testosterone levels among smokers compared to nonsmokers.
“However, the reported effects of smoking on testosterone levels in men are controversial, with some evidence even suggesting no association 15,19-24 and others reporting higher 13,14,25-32 or lower 33,34 levels of TT among smokers compared to nonsmokers.”
From Cigarette smoking has a positive and independent effect on testosterone levels (2013) · cites this paper as [21]
In a Swedish study of men comparable to those in the present study, snuff was not associated with reproductive parameters.
“Nor was snuff associated with reproductive parameters in a Swedish study of men comparable to those in the present study (Richthoff et al., 2008).”
From Use of e-cigarettes associated with lower sperm counts in a cross-sectional study of young men from the general population (2020) · cites this paper as Richthoff et al., 2008
No association was found between snuff use and reproductive hormones in the Richthoff and Danish studies.
“No association was found between snuff use and reproductive hormones in either of these two studies.”
From Decreased sperm counts in Swedish users of oral tobacco (2022) · cites this paper as [6]
Our article included a higher number of snuff-users than the articles by Pärn et al., Richthoff et al., and Holmboe et al., and thus possibly had a greater statistical power.
“In comparison to the articles by Pärn et al., 8 Richthoff et al. 16 and Holmboe et al., 7 our article included a higher number of snuff‐users, and thus possibly had a greater statistical power.”
From Decreased sperm counts in Swedish users of oral tobacco (2022) · cites this paper as [16]
Richthoff et al. concluded that cigarette smoking, but not the use of snuff, among young healthy men was associated with lower sperm counts.
“Richthoff et al. concluded that cigarette smoking, but not the use of snuff (which 51 men used) among young healthy men was associated with lower sperm counts. 6”
From Decreased sperm counts in Swedish users of oral tobacco (2022) · cites this paper as [6]
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Zhao, J., Leung, J. Y. Y., Lin, S. L., & Mary Schooling, C. (2016) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.12.021 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Cigarette smoking has a positive and independent effect on testosterone levels
Wang, W., Yang, X., Liang, J., Liao, M., Zhang, H., Qin, X., Mo, L., Lv, W., & Mo, Z. (2013) · Hormones · doi:10.14310/horm.2002.1445 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Evaluation of the effects of cigarette smoking on testosterone levels in adult men
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Decreased sperm counts in Swedish users of oral tobacco
Kimblad, A., Ollvik, G., Lindh, C. H., & Axelsson, J. (2022) · Andrology · doi:10.1111/andr.13198 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
- Authors
- Richthoff, J., Elzanaty, S., Rylander, L., Hagmar, L., & Giwercman, A.
- Affiliations
- Lund University (SE)
- Corresponding author
- Richthoff, Jonas
- Venue
- International Journal of Andrology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2007-03-22
- Volume
- 31
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 31-39
- ISSN
- 0105-6263 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-2605
- OpenAlex
- W2070080803
- Cited by
- 99
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 6.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- International Journal of Andrology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Lund University Publications (Lund University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Vetenskapsrådet
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects
- Keywords
- cigarette smoking, tobacco smoke exposure, adolescent boys, male reproductive function, semen quality, sperm count, sperm concentration, follicle-stimulating hormone, inhibin B, epididymis, seminal vesicle, smoking during pregnancy, conscripts
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Environmental Exposure, Epididymis, Female, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Genitalia, Male, Humans, Male, Organ Size, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Reproduction, Seminal Vesicles, Smoke, Smoking, Sperm Count, Spermatogenesis, Testis, Tobacco, Smokeless, Ultrasonography, Biomarkers
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