Effect of tobacco consumption on the function of male accessory sex glands

Abstract

SummaryThe function of accessory sex glands in 29 tobacco smokers, 25 tobacco chewers and 30 non‐users of tobacco was investigated by determining the ejaculate contents of various glandular markers: N‐acetyl amino sugar and total phosphate (seminal vesicles) zinc and acid phosphatase (prostate gland), and α‐1,4‐glucosidase (epididymis). Both vesicular and prostatic parameters were reduced significantly in smokers compared with non‐users of tobacco, whereas these parameters were unchanged in tobacco chewers. This difference may be due either to the difference in constitution of xenobiotics emitted as a result of burning tobacco, or to differences in the pharmacokinetics of the two forms of tobacco consumption. The activity of α‐1,4‐glucosidase was significantly lowered in both types of tobacco users. It is concluded that use of tobacco, especially by smoking, impairs the secretory function of accessory sex glands in man.