HUMAN SPERM MORPHOMETRY AND SMOKING, CAFFEINE, AND ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION

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. Eighty -six healthy male volunteers (ages 18-35), recruited through newspaper advertisements, provided a semen, blood, and urine sample and complet ed a questionnaire concerning demographic and lifestyle exposures. Spe rm 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, caffein e intake, and alcohol consumption do not appear to significantly affec t sperm nuclear size, shape, or chromatin texture in this study popula tion. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.