Effect of cigarette smoking on serum testosterone level among male smokers: a cross-sectional study

Objective Smoking is considered as a growing epidemic worldwide, and it was found to have negative influence on health, causing a variety of diseases in both sexes, such as pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disorders, pulmonary and extrapulmonary malignancies, infertility, erectile dysfunction, recurrent abortions, and teratogenicity. In addition, several studies have been conducted owing to concerns on its effect on the endocrinal system in males, especially its effects on testosterone levels; however, this concern is still debatable, and all reported results were conflicting. Patients and methods Herein, the cohort study was conducted on a subgroup of smoking males (n=155) to evaluate its effect on serum total testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), as well as T/E2 ratio compared with a non-smoking control group (n=134). Results Our results have shown that there was a significant statistical difference between smoker and non-smoker groups concerning serum total testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and subsequently T/E2 ratio, with P values of 0.002, less than 0.001, and less than 0.001, respectively. In addition, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between the duration of smoking and T. However, there was no correlation between duration of smoking and either E2 or T/E2 ratio. Conclusion Thus, the current study added further evidence to the unsettled debate suggesting negative harmful effects of smoking on serum testosterone level.