Effect Of Tobacco Chewing On Seminal Parameters In Male Partners Of Infertile Couples

Background: Male factors contribute to almost 50% of infertile couples. Deleterious effects of tobacco smoking on male reproductive system are well known. Research studies report contradictory findings about the effect of tobacco chewing on male fertility. Aim and objectives: To study effect of tobacco chewing on seminal parameters in male partners of infertile couples. Material and Methods: Present study was conducted on 100 male partners of infertile couples (50 tobacco chewers and 50 non-chewers) in age group of 21-40 years in the semen analysis laboratory in department of Physiology of Government Medical College, Nagpur from October 2014 to March 2016. Seminal parameters like volume of ejaculate, sperm count, sperm motility and motile sperm count were measured and compared in both groups. Result: Tobacco chewers had significantly lower values of all the seminal parameters as compared to non-chewers. Significantly low values of all parameters were observed in severe tobacco chewers as compared to mild and moderate tobacco chewers. Conclusion: Tobacco chewing has adverse effect on seminal parameters of male partners of infertile couples thus proving its pronounced role in male infertility. Severity of this effect increases as duration of tobacco chewing is prolonged.