EFFECTS OF SMOKING AND THE PILL ON THE BLOOD COUNT

Abstract

An investigation was undertaken to confirm the effect of oral contraceptives (OCs) and estrogenic hormones on the mean cell volume (MCV) in women over a wide age range, to determine the effect of smoking on the differential white cell count as well as to determine the relationship between the number of cigarettes smoked and the effects of smoking on the blood count. Blood samples from 425 men and 312 women between the ages of 18-64 years were taken into K2EDTA. Subjects were all employees of an Insurance Company and were in good health. 188 of the men and 124 of the women were smokers, and 95 of the women were using OCs or an estrogenic hormone for menopausal symptoms. The ages of women using OCs ranged from 18-43 years. 41 smokers and 39 nonsmokers were between 30-43 years. The 2 smokers and the 2 nonsmokers who were taking hormone replacement therapy were all between 46-48 years. The blood samples were counted on a Coulter Model-S counter standardized with 4C cell control. Regression analysis of the MCV confirmed the finding of Eisen and Hammond that there was no variation with age in either nonsmoking or smoking women if they were not taking estrogen. The results, like those of Chalmers et.al., showed that if women were taking OCs or estrogenic hormones there was a significant age related increase in MCV, in both nonsmokers and smokers. This finding would support a hypothesis that an increase in MCV with age in women on OCs and under normal circumstances in men is hormone related, particularly when considered in conjunction with the demonstration that the MCV increases in pregnancy. The total white cell count and neutrophil count were significantly higher in smokers of both sexes. The lymphocyte count was also higher in smokers but was only significant in men. The white cell count, MCV, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume were all higher in the smokers than in the nonsmokers.