Researchers revealed that the chance of having a male baby drops by almost half if both parents smoke during early pregnancy, also smoking raises the chances of a miscarriage.
Researchers reportedly found that substances contained in cigarettes, such as nicotine, inhibit sperm carrying male chromosomes from fertilizing eggs.
The researchers studied 9,000 cases of pregnancy in Liverpool, and found that mothers who smoked during pregnancy were one-third less likely to have male children than those who did not smoke. Furthermore, if the father also smoked, and if factors such as the health and age of the mother were accounted for, the chances of having a male child reduces by almost half.
The study also reveals that even those mothers who do not smoke but are exposed to cigarettes from partners are less likely to have boys. It shows that substances contained in cigarettes, such as nicotine, inhibit sperm carrying male chromosomes from fertilising eggs.
Professor Bernard Brabin said,
The message is clear: if you want an increased chance of a male baby, don’t smoke during pregnancy.
Australian expert Dr Anne Clark, from the Fertility Society of Australia, said the results were fascinating but was concerned they could motivate parents wanting a girl to smoke.
Dr Clark said,
If a father smokes to get a girl, that girl is four times more likely to get cancer than if he didn’t and the mother is going to be three times more likely to have a fertility problem.
So the message is don’t smoke at all if you want a child.
Via : ABC home.net
