Infertility in Men with Varicocele: The Role of Age, Smoking and Alcohol Intake

Abstract

Previous studies have focused on the damaging effects of smoking and alcohol on sperm parameters; however, some of these studies have failed to find a significant correlation between these variables. Herein we have investigated the relationship of infertility with smoking and/or alcohol consumption in one hundred and thirty-six men with varicocele, admitted consecutively to the Outpatients Department of Infertility at the University of Rome La Sapienza (Italy) between 2005-2007. The sample size was small because we have selected couples with both marital infertility lasting for more than two years and the male partner with varicocele. Statistical analyses were carried out using the software of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). We showed a highly significant association of infertility with alcohol consumption. As the mean value was 32 years, comparing men of age less than or equal to 32 years and men of age over 32 years, this association is present only in men of age less than or equal to 32 years. A discriminant analysis with infertility as dependent variable and age, alcohol consumption and smoking habit as independent variables has shown a significant discrimination only in men of age less than or equal to 32 years. The most important contribution to this discrimination was given by alcohol followed by age while contribution from smoking was small. Our analyses suggest that alcohol consumption contributes to infertility in men of age less than or equal to 32 years whereas smoking does not.