Human sperm morphometry and smoking, caffeine, and alcohol consumption

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine whether sperm nuclear size, shape, and chromatin texture parameters are associated with lifestyle exposures including smoking, caffeine, and alcohol consumption. Eightysix healthy male volunteers (ages 18–35), recruited through newspaper advertisements, provided a semen, blood, and urine sample and completed a questionnaire concerning demographic and lifestyle exposures. Sperm nuclear size, shape, and chromatin texture parameters were measured using computerized image analysis. Results indicated no associations between the sperm nuclear morphometric parameters and age, smoking, or alcohol consumption. There was weak evidence for an association with caffeine intake. In conclusion, the lifestyle factors smoking, caffeine intake, and alcohol consumption do not appear to significantly affect sperm nuclear size, shape, or chromatin texture in this study population.