Clinical, demographic and psychological characteristics of infertile male smokers in Northeast China

Objectives To investigate clinical, demographic and psychological characteristics of infertile male smokers in northeast China. Methods Serum and semen samples were collected from infertile men. Semen analysis was performed according to conventional procedures. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels were quantified. Psychological anxiety and depression were evaluated by the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS), respectively. Results Both SDS and SAS scores were significantly higher in smokers (n=704) than in nonsmokers (n=372); in addition, sperm viability and motility were significantly lower in smokers than in nonsmokers. Spearman's correlation coefficient analysis revealed significant positive correlations between duration of smoking and SDS and SAS scores, and between cigarettes smoked per day and SDS and SAS scores. Conclusions Cigarette smoking has a negative effect on sperm viability and motility, and is associated with increased SDS and SAS scores.