Influence of cigarette smoking on spermatozoa via seminal plasma

Abstract

Numerous investigations have been conducted on the relationship between cigarette smoking and male infertility, however, the exact molecular mechanisms are not well understood in most of the cases. Few studies have indicated the direct effect of seminal plasma (SP) [in different dilutions with phosphate buffer solution (PBS)] from smokers (SM) on the sperm functional parameters from nonsmokers (non-SM). The aim of this study was to provide evidence that cigarette smoking affects male fertility via altering the sperm quality. Our results indicated that exposure of spermatozoa from the non-SM to the SP from the SM yielded a significant reduction in the sperm motility and acrosome reaction and an elevation in the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA), in a certain time course. Exposure of spermatozoa from the SM to the SP from the non-SM or with PBS resulted in the nonsignificant improvement in the altered sperm functional parameters indicating removal of SM's SP and then subsequent reconstitution with physiological media could be of clinical significance in the various assisted reproductive technologies applied for SM. However, the detrimental effect of SM's SP on non-SM's spermatozoa was prominent. In addition, as spermatozoa in SM's SP are susceptible to peroxidative damages, men with such cells who wish to have children should especially benefit from quitting smoking.

Effect of cigarette smoking on antioxidant levels and presence of leukocytospermia in infertile men: a prospective study

“…Several articles on the effects of cigarette consumption on human seminal quality have been published (13,15,17,20,24,50,51). Nevertheless, at present, there exists no consensus about the effects of these substances on male fertility (6,9,18,41,42,65).…”

“…Numerous investigations have been conducted on the relationship between cigarette smoking and male infertility; however, the exact molecular mechanisms are not well understood in most cases (13). Cigarette smoking may be associated with subfertility in men and may result in decreased sperm concentration, lower sperm motility, and a reduced percentage of morphologically normal sperm (14).…”

Male Infertility; Evidences, Risk Factors, Causes, Diagnosis and Management in Human

“…Ji et al [116] found that the more a man smokes prior to his wife's conception, greater will be the risk the child will have for developing cancer by the age of five years. It has been indicated that exposure of spermatozoa from non-smokers to the seminal plasma of smokers yields a significant reduction in the sperm motility, acrosome reaction and elevated MDA [117]. Waylen et al [118] provided in their meta-analysis evidences for a negative effect of smoking on clinical outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection success (clinical pregnancy) in women with smoking and non-smoking partners (22% vs. 38%).…”

Apoptotic markers in semen of infertile men: association with cigarette smoking

“…Many studies have associated cigarette smoking and male infertility; but the exact molecular mechanisms are not well understood (4).…”