Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of zinc supplementation on testicular tissue as a feed-back mechanism of the pituitary secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) on cigarette smoker subjects. Total of twenty subjects participated in this study as per the national bioethics committee guidelines. Venous blood samples were collected for determination of serum level of LH and FSH before and after zinc supplementation. LH and FSH  determination were done using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).  A t-test was used to compare the means of two groups, P value was considered significant if ≤ 0.05. Results showed that  LH serum levels were elevated in smokers as compared to the control group (p 0.05). Similar observation was found in FSH levels (p>0.05). After one month of zinc supplementation, LH levels decreased in smokers group (after: 4.14 ± 2.38 mlU/ml, before: 7.43 ± 4.32 mlU/ml; p>0.05). FSH levels also decreased after zinc supplementation in smokers group (after: 1.50 ± 1.12 mlU/ml, before: 3.88 ± 1.57 mlU/ml; p>0.05). The improving effect of zinc supplementation on LH and FSH pituitary and testicular steroid secretions for smoker subjects is obviously observed. These findings can be implemented to contribute to the outcome of zinc treatment associated with smoking.

Key words: Zinc, biometals, smoking, gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), trace elements.