Smoking and infertility: multivariable regression and Mendelian randomization analyses in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study
Álvaro Hernáez, Robyn E. Wootton, Christian M. Page, Karoline H. Skåra, Abigail Fraser, Tormod Rogne, Per Magnus, Pål R. Njølstad, Ole A. Andreassen, Stephen Burgess, Deborah A. Lawlor, Maria C. Magnus
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between smoking and infertility. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Nationwide cohort. PATIENTS: 28,606 women and 27,096 men with questionnaire and genotype information from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study. INTERVENTION: Self-reported information on smoking (having ever smoked [both sexes], age at initiation [women only], cessation [women only], and cigarettes/week in current smokers [both sexes]) was gathered. Genetically predetermined levels or likelihood of presenting these traits were estimated for Mendelian randomization. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Infertility (time-to-pregnancy ≥12 months). RESULTS: 0.83; 95% CI, 0.75-0.93) were linked to decreased infertility in women. Nevertheless, Mendelian randomization results were not directionally consistent for smoking intensity and cessation and were estimated imprecisely in the 2-sample approach. In men, greater smoking intensity was not robustly associated with infertility in multivariable regression and Mendelian randomization. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find robust evidence of an effect of smoking on infertility. This may be due to a true lack of effect, weak genetic instruments, or other kinds of confounding.