The effects of tobacco consumption on paternity rates of adults with a history of cryptorchidism.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of tobacco consumption on paternity rates in men with a history of cryptorchidism. To compare the paternity rates between formerly unilateral, bilateral cryptorchid smokers, and nonsmokers.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 153 men who had undergone orchiopexy between 1961 and 1985 at the Miguel Servet University Hospital (116 unilateral and 37 bilateral) and a control group of 100 men were evaluated by review of medical records and a questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 197 men filled the questionnaire (76.7%). There was no difference in paternity rates between smokers compared to nonsmokers (P = 0.21). In the unilateral cryptorchid men (ULC) group, there is no difference in paternity rates when compared with the controls (P = 0.079) or when comparing ULC smokers to ULC nonsmokers (P = 0.35). In the bilateral cryptorchid men (BLC) group, there is no difference in paternity rates when compared to controls (P = 0.075) or when comparing BLC smokers to BLC nonsmokers (P = 0.36). When comparing according to consumption, there is no difference between mild, moderate or heavy smoker cases and controls.

CONCLUSION

There is no difference in paternity rates between men with a history of cryptorchidism that consume tobacco compared to nonsmokers or controls. More studies are needed to determine the impact of tobacco consumption in formerly cryptorchid men.