STUDY OF EFFECT OF SMOKING AND ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION ON REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES AND SEMEN PARAMETERS IN MALE PARTNERS OF INFERTILE COUPLES AT ANMMCH, GAYA, BIHAR

Abstract

Background: Nearly 15% couples trying to conceive are affected by infertility, and male infertility affects nearly 50% of these. Majority of the\nmen have no apparent reason for infertility. Tobacco smoking and alcohol intake are avoidable factors which may affect male fertility. This study\naimed to evaluate the impact of tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption on serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone levels\nand on semen microscopy parameters in male partners of infertile couples.Material and Methods: This cross sectional descriptive study, included\nmale partners of couples presenting with infertility at Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of ANMMCH, Gaya, Bihar. Exposure to risk factors\nwas recorded. Serum FSH and testosterone levels and semen microscopy for sperm concentration, progressive motility and morphology were\nevaluated. Results: In the 98 subjects, mean FSH levels, testosterone levels, sperm concentration and sperm progressive motility were\nsigni\uf001cantly lower in smokers (P=0.001, 0.002, 0.005, 0.003 respectively). Same parameters were signi\uf001cantly lower in alcoholics (P<0.001).\nSmokers had signi\uf001cantly higher odds of abnormal testosterone levels. Alcohol consumers had signi\uf001cantly higher odds of low FSH levels,\nabnormal testosterone levels, oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia. Conclusions: Smoking and alcoholism may be signi\uf001cant contributors to\nmale infertility. More efforts to inform the youth about effects of smoking and alcoholism on fertility are required.