E-cigarettes Reduce Testicle Size and Sperm Count, Study Finds
A new study has revealed that e-cigarettes may not be as harmless as many people believe. Researchers at Cumhuriyet University in Turkey have found that the use of e-cigarettes can reduce testicle size and sperm count, potentially affecting fertility. The study, published in the journal Revista Internacional de Andrología, involved 24 male rats divided into three groups. The first group was exposed to conventional cigarette smoke, the second to e-cigarette vapour containing 0.6mg/ml of nicotine but no additional flavourings, and the third served as a control group.
The researchers measured the rats’ testicle size and sperm count before and after exposure to the smoke or vapour. They found that the sperm concentration in the control group was an average of 98.5 million per millilitre, while in the group exposed to e-cigarette vapour, it dropped to 95.1 million per millilitre. However, the most significant decrease was seen in the group exposed to conventional cigarette smoke, with a sperm count of only 89 million per millilitre. Additionally, the testicles of this group were smaller and lighter than those of the other two groups.
The study’s findings suggest that conventional cigarette smoke has the most negative impact on reproductive organs and fertility. While e-cigarettes may not be as harmful as conventional cigarettes, they still pose a risk to reproductive health. This study highlights the need for further research into the long-term effects of e-cigarette use on human health.
