Association of shisha smoking with reproductive endocrine biomarkers: focus on prostate-specific antigen and anti-müllerian hormone

Background and objective: Shisha smoking is associated with multiple health risks, including reproductive disorders. This study investigated the impact of shisha smoking on prostate function and ovarian reserve by measuring serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 180 young adults aged 18–35 years. The participants comprised 90 males and 90 females who were randomly selected. They were categorized into three groups: 60 active shisha smokers, 60 secondhand smokers, and 60 non-smokers (30 males and 30 females in each category). Venous blood samples were withdrawn from all participants for the analysis of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS, with statistical significance p < 0.05. Results: 17.5% of the 120 shisha smokers (active and secondhand smokers) reported reproductive disorders. The observed conditions included dysmenorrhea (8.3%), abnormal menstrual bleeding (3.3%), amenorrhea (2.5%), and erectile dysfunction (1.7%). Comparison of the AMH levels between shisha smokers and non-smokers showed that the mean anti-mullerian hormone levels were significantly lower (p=0.001) in shisha smokers (2.49 ± 0.52 ng/mL) and secondhand smokers (2.19 ± 0.25ng/mL) compared to non-smokers (2.71 ± 0.29 ng/mL). The mean prostate specific antigen levels were significantly higher in shisha smokers (0.62 ± 0.78 ng/mL) and secondhand smokers (0.69 ± 0.48 ng/mL) compared to non-smokers (0.36 ± 0.45 ng/mL). Conclusion: Shisha smoking is associated with alterations in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in the study population. July 2026; Vol. 20(2):001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.20.010 *Correspondence: Onitsha Enebrayi Nelson, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State. E-mail: onitshanelson@ndu.edu.ng.