Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A J Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to A J Thomas.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Varicocele is associated with elevated spermatozoal reactive oxygen species production and diminished seminal plasma antioxidant capacity.

PURPOSE: Because varicocele is seen often in infertile men and oxidative stress has been implicated in sperm dysfunction, we assessed spermatozoal reactive oxygen species and seminal total antioxidant capacity in men with and without varicocele. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Levels of reactive oxygen species and total antioxidant capacity were measured in the semen of 21 infertile men with varicocele, 15 men with incidential varicocele and 17 normal donors without varicocele (controls). Men with leukocytospermia (more than 1 x 10(6) white blood cells per ml.) were excluded from study. Reactive oxygen species were measured in washed spermatozoa with a luminol dependent chemiluminescence assay. Total seminal antioxidant capacity was measured with an enhanced chemiluminescence assay, and the results were expressed as trolox equivalents. Sperm characteristics were assessed with a computer assisted semen analyzer, and sperm morphology was assessed using World Health Organization and Kruger's strict criteria. RESULTS: Patients with varicocele had significantly higher reactive oxygen species levels than controls (p = 0.02). Reactive oxygen species levels did not differ significantly between infertile and men with incidental varicocele. Total antioxidant levels were significantly lower among men with varicocele (p = 0.02) and those with incidental varicocele compared to controls (p = 0.05). Reactive oxygen species and total antioxidant capacity levels did not correlate in any group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that elevated reactive oxygen species and depressed total antioxidant capacity levels are associated with varicocele. These changes may be related to functional sperm abnormalities and infertility seen commonly in these patients. These findings support a possible rationale for controlled clinical trials of antioxidant supplementation in infertile men with varicocele.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Patient characteristics associated with vasectomy reversal.

PURPOSE: More than 30 million couples throughout the world are using vasectomy as a method of birth control. It is estimated that up to 6% of men who undergo voluntary sterilization will eventually request reversal, despite the high cost and relatively low success rate of the procedure. We identified characteristics that predict which vasectomy patients may request reversal. We also examined the cost and effectiveness of pre-vasectomy sperm cryopreservation followed by intrauterine insemination as an alternative method of achieving pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed medical charts of 365 patients who underwent vasectomy and 290 who underwent vasectomy reversal between 1990 and 1997. Data were collected on patient age at the time of vasectomy, religion, occupation, wife employment status, number of marriages, number of children, reason for reversal, and number of years between vasectomy and reversal. Based on previously reported values, pregnancy rates and cost per successful pregnancy were estimated for vasectomy reversal surgery, and compared with a calculated cost per pregnancy for sperm cryopreservation and intrauterine insemination. RESULTS: Patient factors significantly associated with increased vasectomy reversal included younger age at time of vasectomy (p < 0.001) and a wife who worked outside the home (p < 0.001). Vasectomy reversal occurred 12.5 times more often (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.6 to 20.7) in men who underwent vasectomy in their 20s than in men who were older. Men whose wives were not employed requested reversal 0.48 times as often (95% CI 0.33 to 0.71) as those whose wives worked. Men who were younger at vasectomy tended to wait longer before reversal (median 10 years) than other patients (p < 0.001). At 10 years our calculated pregnancy rates and cost per pregnancy were 44% and $12,727 for vasectomy reversal, and 41% and $9,512 for intrauterine insemination with banked sperm (3 attempts). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who requested vasectomy reversal most often chose voluntary sterilization at a younger age. We believe that younger men should be given better pre-vasectomy counseling. However, the success rate and cost-effectiveness of sperm cryopreservation before vasectomy, with subsequent intrauterine insemination, may make this nonsurgical alternative desirable for younger couples who choose vasectomy even when properly informed about reversal rates.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Fertility outcome after repeat vasoepididymostomy.

PURPOSE: Historically, epididymal obstruction has been treated with surgical reconstruction. We determine whether it is worthwhile for patients to undergo repeat surgical reconstruction after failed vasoepididymostomy or whether they should be advised only to undergo sperm acquisition for assisted reproductive technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 patients underwent repeat vasoepididymostomy performed by a single urologist (A. J. T.). Cases were divided based on the etiology of obstruction into groups 1--prior vasectomy (4), 2--congenital (7) and 3--inflammatory (7). Data were available regarding time of obstruction between initial and repeat vasoepididymostomy, quality of epididymal fluid, levels of anastomoses, semen analyses at least 12 months after surgery for all 18 men and pregnancy rates based on more than 18 months of followup in 12. RESULTS: Mean patient age at repeat vasoepididymostomy was 40.6 years (50.5, 36 and 39.4 years for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively). Mean interval between vasectomy and initial vasoepididymostomy was 12.3 years (range 10 to 18). Mean interval between initial and repeat vasoepididymostomy was 19 months (range 12 to 41). Of the patients 10 underwent unilateral and 8 bilateral anastomoses, for a total of 26 repeat anastomoses. Overall patency rate was 66.7% (12 of 18) with sperm in the ejaculate in 75, 85 and 43% of patients in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The patency rates according to the levels of the anastomosis were 66.7, 62.5 and 100% in the caput, corpus and cauda, respectively. Natural conception occurred in 3 of 12 couples (25%, 2 caput and 1 caudal anastomosis) during a mean followup of 23 months (range 13 to 34). All 3 cases had congenital obstruction. Pregnancy was achieved in 2 group 1 cases with cryopreserved sperm extracted at repeat vasoepididymostomy, and in 1 case each in groups 1 and 2 with microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. CONCLUSIONS: After repeat vasoepididymostomy two-thirds of men have sperm in the semen. Natural conception occurred in 25% of patients (3 of 12) followed for more than 18 months. Inability to establish pregnancy in the remaining 7 of 9 patients with sperm in the semen with a followup longer than 18 months may be due to epididymal dysfunction or partial obstruction and subsequent poor sperm quality. Aspiration of motile sperm and cryopreservation were possible in 11 of 18 cases at repeat vasoepididymostomy and should be recommended in case azoospermia remains or occurs after surgery. It appears worthwhile to offer patients repeat vasoepididymostomy after a failed initial procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Design and synthesis of m1-selective muscarinic agonists: (R)-(-)-(Z)-1-Azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-3-one, O-(3-(3'-methoxyphenyl)-2-propynyl)oxime maleate (CI-1017), a functionally m1-selective muscarinic agonist.

The synthesis and SAR of a series of (Z)-(+/-)-1-azabicyclo[2.2. 1]heptan-3-one, O-(3-aryl-2-propynyl)oximes are described. The biochemistry and pharmacology of 24Z (PD 142505) and its enantiomers are highlighted. 24Z is functionally an m1-selective muscarinic agonist. Efficacy and m1 selectivity reside in the R enantiomer, (R)-24Z (CI-1017).

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1998

Establishing a KSHV+ cell line (BCP-1) from peripheral blood and characterizing its growth in Nod/SCID mice.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV or HHV8) sequences are present in primary effusion lymphomas (PEL). KSHV+ cell lines have been established from such lymphomas. Here we report the first description of the establishment of a KSHV+, EBV- cell line (BCP-1) from the peripheral blood of a patient with PEL. Using this cell line and a KSHV+, EBV+ PEL cell line (HBL-6) previously established from ascitic fluid, we investigated whether in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency disease (Nod/SCID) mice tumors representing PEL can be established. When injected intravenously (IV) into Nod/SCID mice, BCP-1 and HBL-6 infiltrated organs, with only occasional macroscopic tumor formation. Intraperitoneal injections (ip) led to the development of ascites and diffuse infiltration of organs, without obviously solid lymphoma formation, resembling the diffuse nature of human PEL. To investigate a possible mechanism for the peculiar phenotype of PEL, we examine the presence of adhesion molecules and homing markers on PEL cells before and after growing in mice. Both BCP-1 and HBL-6 cells lack expression of important cytoadhesion molecules including CD11a and CD18 (LFA1 alpha and beta chains), CD29, CD31, CD44, CD54 (ICAM-1), and CD62L and E (L and E selectins).

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Why cancer patients request disposal of cryopreserved semen specimens posttherapy: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine why patients with cancer stop storing semen in a sperm bank program. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Hospital andrology laboratory. PATIENT(S): Cancer patients (n = 56) who discontinued sperm storage. INTERVENTION(S): A database of 342 patients with cryopreserved sperm was searched for disease diagnosis, marital status before and after diagnosis, type of therapy, number of specimens banked, interval between diagnosis and sperm banking, and postthaw semen characteristics. Patients discontinuing storage were surveyed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT(S): Reasons for discontinuing storage and clinical correlation of the decision. RESULT(S): Reasons included patient death (n = 21); fertility but no plans for more children (n = 23); good sperm quality (n = 8); and no plans to have children (n = 4). Patients were similar in age, number of specimens, and interval between diagnosis and treatment, but they showed significant differences in type of treatment and time in the program. Cost of cryopreservation and specimen storage was not cited. CONCLUSION(S): Most patients decided to discontinue sperm banking because either they regained fertility or had improved semen quality. Sperm banking should be strongly recommended for all patients with malignant diseases who may wish to have children, even if they eventually decide that the specimens are not needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Identification of spermatozoa and round spermatids in the ejaculates of men with spermatogenic failure.

OBJECTIVES: As many as 10% of infertile men have azoospermia caused by spermatogenic failure or ductal obstruction. The histologic diagnoses associated with spermatogenic failure--Sertoli cell-only syndrome, maturation arrest, and hypospermatogenesis--do not necessarily represent global changes in the affected testis, as occasional seminiferous tubules may still produce mature germ cells. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) allows individual sperm that have been isolated from testicular tissue to fertilize oocytes. This study assessed whether mature germ cells (either round spermatids or spermatozoa) were present in the ejaculates of patients with spermatogenic failure. METHODS: All semen analyses performed at our tertiary care institution from January 1993 through December 1995 were reviewed to identify azoospermic men with spermatogenic failure. During this period, our laboratory employed Nuclear-Fast Red and picroindigocarmine staining (NF-PICS) of cytospin slides to identify rare spermatozoa and spermatids in otherwise azoospermic ejaculates. RESULTS: Of 3005 analyses reviewed, 20 azoospermic men whose infertility was solely attributable to spermatogenic failure were identified. The histologic diagnoses were germinal cell aplasia (n = 7), complete maturation arrest (n = 6), incomplete maturation arrest (n = 3), and hypospermatogenesis (n = 4). Using the NF-PICS technique, mature germ cells were identified in the ejaculates of 15 men (75%), and 9 men (45%) had fully formed spermatozoa present. CONCLUSIONS: In the clinical management of azoospermic infertile men, the NF-PICS technique may be used to identify men who have some degree of testicular spermatogenesis. This might obviate the need for the purely diagnostic testis biopsy that is performed before therapeutic biopsy for testicular sperm extraction in conjunction with ICSI.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1998

Role of electron microscopy of sperm in the evaluation of male infertility during the era of assisted reproduction.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether there are indications for and benefits from electron microscopy (EM) of sperm during the era of assisted reproductive technology. METHODS: The medical history, semen analyses, and EM findings of 55 patients with pure male-factor infertility were reviewed to determine: (1) which semen characteristics (seminal volume, sperm concentration, percent motility, and percent normal morphology) were associated with normal or abnormal ultrastructure as determined by EM, (2) whether EM findings correlated with success or failure of in vitro fertilization (IVF), and (3) whether EM could screen for potentially inheritable genetic disorders. RESULTS: Principal EM diagnoses were normal sperm ultrastructure (11 of 55; 20%), tail abnormalities (21 of 55; 38%), necrospermia (12 of 55; 22%), acrosomal defects (9 of 55; 16%), neck abnormalities (1 of 55; 2%), and incomplete maturation (1 of 55; 2%). Every patient with an abnormal EM study had impaired motility (33% or below) and abnormal morphology (13% or lower normal forms by World Health Organization criteria). The percentage of normal sperm morphology differed significantly across EM diagnoses (P < 0.0001). Differences in motility across the groups could not be detected because EM was only performed on patients with impaired motility. Although the partner of 1 patient with a normal EM study who underwent IVF achieved pregnancy, 11 with abnormal EM studies failed to establish a pregnancy by IVF. Finally, 5 (11%) of 44 patients with abnormal EM findings were diagnosed with primary ciliary dyskinesia directly as a result of EM. In addition, 3 (6.8%) of the 44 patients with abnormal EM findings were diagnosed with complete acrosomal loss. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severely abnormal motility and morphology on routine semen analysis may benefit from EM study of sperm. Our data indicate that EM findings correlate with success or failure of IVF, and that EM can screen for potentially inheritable genetic disorders.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

Relationship between creatine kinase levels and clinical diagnosis of infertility.

PURPOSE: The creatine kinase level indicates sperm maturity and correlates with the spermatozoal fertilizing potential. The relationship between creatine kinase levels in subfertile men and their clinical diagnosis was examined. METHODS: Patients with unexplained infertility (n = 34), varicocele (n = 20), postvasectomy reversal (n = 7), or cancer (n = 22) were included in this prospective clinical study. The control group consisted of healthy normal donors (n = 15). RESULTS: The median and interquartile range values of creatine kinase for each group were as follows: normal donors, 0.061 U/10(8) sperm (0.056 to 0.076 U/10(8) sperm); idiopathic male factor, 0.119 U/10(8) sperm (0.061 to 0.190 U/10(8) sperm); varicocele, 0.392 U/10(8) sperm (0.209 to 1.494 U/10(8) sperm); postvasectomy reversal, 0.589 U/10(8) sperm (0.425 to 4.043 U/10(8) sperm); and cancer, 0.068 U/10(8) sperm (0.047 to 0.168 U/10(8) sperm). Sperm creatine kinase levels were significantly higher in patients with varicocele compared to normal donors (P = 0.0001), cancer patients (P = 0.0002), and men with idiopathic infertility (P = 0.0009). Sperm concentration and creatine kinase level were inversely correlated in patients (r = -0.7, P < 0.001) but not in normal donors. CONCLUSIONS: Semen quality is poorer in subfertile patients with clinical varicocele and postvasectomy reversal than in cancer patients and patients with idiopathic male infertility. That the creatine kinase levels in cancer patients were similar to those of normal donors suggests that the final phase of spermatogenesis may not be altered in men with cancer; thus semen from these patients should be banked to ensure fertility after cancer treatment.

Creatine Kinase↗
PubMed1998

Cryopreservation of human spermatozoa with pentoxifylline improves the post-thaw agonist-induced acrosome reaction rate.

Cryopreservation causes extensive damage to spermatozoa, thereby impairing their fertilizing ability. The purpose of this study was to determine if the direct addition of pentoxifylline to the seminal plasma before cryopreservation improved sperm motility and acrosome reaction. Semen specimens from 15 healthy volunteers were divided into two aliquots. One aliquot was treated by adding 5 mM pentoxifylline directly to the seminal plasma (treatment group) and the other aliquot received no treatment (control group). Both aliquots were then cryopreserved by using the liquid nitrogen freezing method. The percentage of motile spermatozoa and various motion characteristics were then evaluated by performing computer-assisted semen analysis. The sperm viability was determined with a supra-vital dye, Hoechst-33258, and the acrosome reaction (spontaneous and calcium ionophore-induced) was monitored using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated peanut lectin (FITC-PNA) binding assays. Pentoxifylline treatment significantly increased the sperm motility, the amplitude of lateral head displacement, the hyperactivation status, and the frequency of spontaneous acrosome reactions before freezing (P < 0.05). After post-thaw, no difference in motion characteristics (except percentage motility) between treated and control groups were observed. Acrosome loss due to the freeze-thaw process was less in the pentoxifylline-treated group (P = 0.0003). In addition, the percentage of cryopreserved acrosome-intact spermatozoa that underwent further acrosome reactions in response to calcium-ionophore challenge was significantly higher in the treated group (P = 0.03). Pentoxifylline treatment before freezing improved the acrosome reaction to ionophore challenge in cryopreserved spermatozoa. Treatment with pentoxifylline appears to minimize sperm damage during the freeze-thaw process and may improve fertilization rates with assisted reproductive procedures such as intrauterine insemination or in-vitro fertilization.

Acrosome Reaction↗
PubMed1998

Attitudes about genetic risk of couples undergoing in-vitro fertilization.

Many couples undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) are at a higher risk of having a child with a genetic abnormality. In a sample of 55 consecutive couples starting IVF, only 33% had no genetic risk factor. The most common genetic risks were advanced maternal age and possible abnormalities associated with severe male infertility. Despite education on these risks, 71% of couples had no interest in receiving formal genetic counselling. Only 14% of couples at risk would consider using a gamete donor to avoid transmitting a genetic disorder to a child. The triple test to screen for fetal abnormalities was acceptable to 82% of couples, but only 47% planned to have amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling. Couples were significantly more likely to opt for prenatal testing if they would consider terminating a pregnancy should the fetus have a severe genetic abnormality (P < 0.01). Roman Catholic couples tended to have more conservative attitudes about pregnancy termination. Socio-economic status and whether the infertility factor was male or female were not predictors of a couple's attitudes.

Abortion, Eugenic↗
PubMed1998

Partial obstruction, not antisperm antibodies, causing infertility after vasovasostomy.

PURPOSE: We determined whether men who may have partial obstruction and antisperm antibodies after vasovasostomy can be distinguished from other infertile men with antisperm antibodies only, and whether repeat microsurgical reversal is beneficial in such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 412 patients underwent indirect immunobead testing for antisperm antibodies at our laboratory from December 1991 through July 1996. Of 95 patients with an assay greater than 20% binding 49 had normal partners and were grouped by history of vasovasostomy (20), varicocele (9), cryptorchidism (8) and epididymo-orchitis (12). Semen analysis characteristics and antisperm antibody binding variables were compared across histories. Pregnancy rates were compared between patients treated surgically for partial obstruction and those treated for antisperm antibodies. Mean followup was 33.8 months. RESULTS: Compared to the other 3 groups, men with a history of vasectomy and reversal had significantly lower sperm concentration (p = 0.002), poorer motility (p < 0.001), lower overall binding on the indirect immunobead assay (p < 0.001) and lower IgA binding (p = 0.008). The clinical diagnosis of partial obstruction was based on a sense of epididymal fullness by palpation, as well as the aforementioned semen parameters. Of the 20 patients with a history of vasectomy and reversal 14 were diagnosed with partial obstruction and underwent repeat microsurgical reversal and 6 with a history of vasovasostomy but no evidence of obstruction received no further therapy and never established pregnancies. The remaining 29 patients underwent sperm washing and assisted reproduction. Of 14 patients 7 (50%) established pregnancies after repeat reversal compared to only 5 of 29 patients (17.2%) treated with assisted reproduction (P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Antisperm antibodies are not a significant factor in persistently infertile post-reversal cases with the aforementioned criteria. Repeat reversal appears to be the most successful treatment option in this setting.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Investigation of fertilizing capacity of cryopreserved spermatozoa from patients with cancer.

PURPOSE: There are few published reports concerning fertilization and pregnancy outcomes achieved with cryopreserved spermatozoa from cancer patients. Controversy exists regarding the value of sperm banking for these patients before therapy, whether the spermatozoa are viable after long-term storage and whether they can fertilize the ovum. We assess fertilization and pregnancy outcomes achieved with cryopreserved spermatozoa from cancer patients using assisted reproductive techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 10 cancer patients who transferred cryopreserved semen specimens from our sperm bank to outside in vitro fertilization programs for assisted reproductive technique. Of these patients 5 had Hodgkin's disease, 2 testicular cancer, 1 leukemia and 2 prostate cancer. The length of specimen storage ranged from 14 to 135 months (median 49, interquartile range 24 and 82). RESULTS: The median pre-freeze motility was 44% (interquartile range 36 and 55%) and the median total sperm count was 31.1 x 10(6) (interquartile range 6.3 and 53.9 x 10(6)). At 24 hours after banking the median post-thaw motility was 11% (interquartile range 6 and 35%) and the median total sperm count was 6.6 x 10(6) (1.2 and 17.1 x 10(6)). A total of 18 cycles of assisted reproductive technique were performed among 10 couples with an overall pregnancy rate of 50% per couple, with 2 deliveries, 1 ongoing pregnancy and 2 miscarriages. The pregnancy rate per cycle of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection was 36.4% with an implantation rate of 13%. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that poor quality cryopreserved spermatozoa from cancer patients, irrespective of the length of storage, may provide successful results with the latest micromanipulative techniques such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Effect of maternal metabolism on fetal growth and body composition.

The objective of this work is to examine the various maternal metabolic and parental anthropometric and demographic factors that affect fetal growth and body composition. These data are a review of previously published data evaluating 1) demographic and anthropometric factors associated with fetal growth; 2) differences in male and female neonatal body composition; 3) anthropometric and maternal metabolic factors correlated with neonatal birth weight, fat-free mass, and fat mass using stepwise logistic regression analysis; and 4) the relationship between maternal weight gain and birth weight in women with normal glucose tolerance (control subjects) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We estimated body composition in 186 neonates using anthropometry. Fat-free mass, which comprised 86% of mean birth weight, accounted for 83% of the variance in birth weight, and fat mass, which comprised only 14% of birth weight, accounted for 46% of the variance in birth weight. Male neonates were, on average, 175 g heavier than females. There was significantly (P = 0.0001) greater fat-free mass in males than in females but no significant difference in fat mass. Using stepwise logistic regression, we accounted for 29% of the variance in birth weight, 30% in fat-free mass, and 17% in fat mass. Independent variables included maternal height, pregravid weight, weight gain during pregnancy, education, parity, paternal height and weight, neonatal sex, and gestational age. Including maternal glucose insulin sensitivity in 16 additional subjects, we explained 48% of the variance in birth weight, 53% in fat-free mass, and 46% in fat mass. There was a positive (P = 0.0007) correlation between weight gain and birth weight in control subjects, but a negative (P = 0.34) correlation in women with GDM. In control subjects, the correlation was strongest in women who were lean before conception and became progressively weaker as pregravid weight for height increased. In women with GDM, there were no significant correlations between maternal weight gain and birth weight, irrespective of pregravid weight for height. The assessment of fetal/neonatal body composition may improve our understanding of the effect of differential factors on fetal growth. Factors associated with accretion of fetal adipose tissue in late gestation are less well understood in comparison with birth weight and fat-free mass. Additional studies of maternal glucose and lipid metabolism are needed to better evaluate fetal growth.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1997

Improved motile sperm recovery by a hyperosmotic Percoll gradient.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to investigate whether a new, relatively hyperosmotic Percoll gradient, Enhance-S, can improve total motile sperm recovery rates compared with the commonly used Percoll gradient Perception. METHODS: Semen specimens from each of 17 donors were divided into two equal aliquots. One part was washed using Percoll Perception, while the other was prepared using Percoll Enhance-S. RESULTS: Compared to the unwashed specimen, sperm motion characteristics (motility and velocity) improved significantly after Percoll separation using either the Perception or the Enhance-S gradient. There was no difference in motility or velocity in spermatozoa recovered after wash with either of the two preparations. However, the total motile sperm recovery was significantly higher using the Percoll Enhance-S gradient than with the Percoll Perception gradient (P < 0.0024). CONCLUSION: The new Percoll Enhance-S gradient provides significantly more total motile sperm than the Percoll Perception gradient.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗
PubMed1997

The effect of smoking tobacco on neonatal body composition.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to examine the differences in body composition in infants of women who smoke compared with those of nonsmokers. STUDY DESIGN: Within 24 hours of birth anthropometric measurements and total body electrical conductivity estimates of body composition were obtained on 129 term infants (30 born to women who smoked tobacco during pregnancy and 99 born to women who did not smoke). Anthropometric measurements included weight, skinfolds, circumferences, and crown-heel and extremity lengths. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in weight in the infants of smokers (3145 +/- 414 gm vs 3354 +/- 525 gm, p = 0.05). There was a decrease in crown-heel length (49.2 +/- 2.0 cm vs 50.1 +/- 2.2 cm, p = 0.03), the length of the lower leg (7.9 +/- 0.6 cm vs 8.4 +/- 0.6 cm, p = 0.0001), upper leg (9.1 +/- 0.7 cm vs 9.9 +/- 0.8 cm, p = 0.0001), and the lower arm (7.2 +/- 0.5 cm vs 7.5 +/- 0.4 cm, p = 0.0001). There were no significant differences in the skinfold and limb circumference measurements. Infants of smokers had significantly decreased fat-free mass as estimated by total body electrical conductivity (2799 +/- 292 gm vs 2965 +/- 359 gm, p = 0.02) but no significant difference in fat mass (343 +/- 164 gm vs 387 +/- 216 gm, p = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in birth weight in infants of women who smoked is primarily due to a decrease in fat-free mass.

Adult↗