Male e-cigarette users are facing more than just breaking their tobacco addiction. Recent research involving male rats has revealed that vaping can lead to a reduction in testicle size, which in turn can diminish sexual desire and lower sperm count.
In this study, Turkish scientists measured the testicle size of rats before and after exposing them to both cigarette smoke and e-cigarette vapours. Additionally, they examined stress-related biomarkers in the animals’ blood and reproductive organs. Surprisingly, while vaping had adverse effects, it was found that conventional cigarette smoke had even more detrimental impacts on the male reproductive system, as previous research has indicated.
In rats exposed to e-cigarette vapour, the sperm count was measured at 95.1 million sperm per millilitre, slightly lower than the group not exposed to any nicotine substances, which had a count of 98.5 million per millilitre. Notably, the group exposed to cigarette smoke had the lowest sperm count among the three groups, with only 89 million sperm per millilitre. Additionally, the testes of the cigarette smoke-exposed rats were smaller in size and had a lower weight compared to both the rats exposed to e-cigarette vapour and the control group.
It should be considered that although [e-cigarette] liquid has been introduced as harmless in smoking cessation studies, it could increase oxidative stress and cause morphological changes in the testicle.
researchers wrote in their report, published in the Spanish-language journal Revista Internacional de Andrología.
In 2020, Danish researchers discovered that men who used e-cigarettes daily had a notably reduced total sperm count compared to non-vapers. However, the authors of the recent study emphasize the necessity for more human data to substantiate these findings. This is particularly relevant because e-cigarettes have been promoted as an effective tool for individuals looking to quit smoking.
The researchers concluded that in order for e-cigarettes to be considered a safe option in smoking cessation studies, their impact on individuals must be better understood. It’s worth noting that approximately 12 million adults use e-cigarettes, and despite age restrictions, millions of children and teenagers have become part of the vaping population.
When individuals encounter difficulties with fertility and conception, medical professionals typically advise them to quit smoking tobacco as a first step. However, a growing body of studies examining the composition and consequences of vaping liquids suggests that e-cigarettes may not represent an ideal replacement for tobacco products for those who are grappling with fertility issues.
