NICOTINE, COTININE, AND TRANS-3-HYDROXYCOTININE LEVELS IN SEMINAL PLASMA OF SMOKERS - EFFECTS ON SPERM PARAMETERS

Sperm samples from 44 cigarette smokers and 50 nonsmokers attending an infertility clinic were examined by high-performance liquid chromatog raphy (HPLC) assay and HPLC-mass spectrometry for the presence of nico tine (NIC), cotinine (COT), and trans-3'-hydroxycotinine (THOC) in sem inal plasma. Smokers were found to have levels of COT and THOC in semi nal plasma that were similar to those found in serum. The level of NIC was significantly increased in seminal plasma compared to serum. Tota l motility of spermatozoa was significantly and negatively correlated to COT and THOC levels in seminal plasma. Forward motility of spermato zoa was correlated only with cotinine semen levels. On the basis of th ese results, we suggest that the presence of tobacco smoke constituent s in seminal plasma could provide a warning of the adverse effects of cigarette smoke on the physiology of reproduction.