Add another troubling side effect to the list of health issues caused by cigarettes: Smoking may cause the Y chromosome to disappear from men's blood cells.
A new study finds that men who smoke lose the Y chromosome in blood cells more frequently than nonsmokers — and the heavier their cigarette use is, the fewer Y chromosomes they have.
This Y chromosome loss could explain why male smokers are athigher risk of cancer than female smokers, the researchers said in their study, published today (Dec. 4) in the journal Science.
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2 comments:
Women have two "X" chromosomes, while men have one "X" and one "Y."
Sperm are either "X" or "Y" chromosomes.
The female egg is an "X" chromosome.
When the "X" chromosome sperm attaches itself to the "X" chromosome female egg, the result is "XX" and therefor the child will be female.
When the "Y" chromosome sperm attaches itself to the "Y" chromosome female egg, the result it "XY" and therefor the child will be male.
If the "Y" chromosome disappears from the male due to him being a smoker, he would only be able to produce "X" chromosome sperm. This would result in him only being able to produce female children.
I've finally found my reason to quit smoking. I've got two daughters.
11:49-You need to give your name so your daughters can feel wanted.
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