Effects of alcohol and cigarette consumption on human seminal quality

Objective: To evaluate the effects of alcohol or cigarette consumption on seminal parameters in a large population of men attending an andrology laboratory. Design: Analysis of ten years of data (1990-1999). Setting: Andrology and Reproduction Laboratory (Cordoba, Argentina). Patient(s): Patients (3,976) were grouped according to nonsmokers; less than or equal to20 cigarettes/day; >20 cigarettes/day; nonalcohol consumers; less than or equal to500 mL of wine (similar to52 g of ethanol) or equivalent/day; and >500 mL of wine or equivalent/day. Patients who drank alcohol and smoked were also considered. Intervention(s): A questionnaire was voluntarily filled out by patients. It provided data on drug consumption and genitourinary diseases. Main Outcome Measure(s): Seminal volume, sperm concentration, motility, viability, and morphology. Results: No statistical differences in seminal parameters were found between the degrees of alcohol or tobacco consumption; so, independently of the degree of consumption patients were considered as smokers or alcohol consumers. Conclusion(s): Alcohol or cigarette consumption did not alter the seminal parameters. Nevertheless, when the patients with these two habits were compared to those without these habits, a significant reduction in seminal volume, sperm concentration, percentage of motile spermatozoa, and a significant increase of the nonmotile viable gametes were detected. The synergic or additive effect of these two toxic habits is discussed. (Fertil Steril((R)) 2004;82:374-7. (C) 2004 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).