The hazardous effects of tobacco smoking on male fertility

• Published in: Asian journal of andrology Vol. 17; no. 6; pp. 954 - 960
• Main Authors: Dai, Jing-Bo, Wang, Zhao-Xia, Qiao, Zhong-Dong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 01.11.2015; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Analysis; Apoptosis; Carbon Monoxide - adverse effects; Carcinogens; Complications and side effects; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; DNA Damage; DNA fragmentation; heavy metals; nicotine; oxidative stress; semen quality; spermatogenesis; DNA methylation; Epigenetics; Fertility; Gasotransmitters - adverse effects; Heavy metals; Humans; Infertility, Male - etiology; Invited Review; Male; Male infertility; Metals, Heavy - adverse effects; Motility; Nicotiana; Nicotine; Nicotine - adverse effects; Nicotinic Agonists - adverse effects; Oxidative Stress; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - adverse effects; Reproductive system; Risk factors; Rodents; Semen Analysis; Smoke - adverse effects; Smoking; Smoking - adverse effects; Sperm; Spermatogenesis; Spermatozoa; Studies; China
• ISSN: 1008-682X; 1745-7262
• DOI: 10.4103/1008-682X.150847

The substantial harmful effects of tobacco smoking on fertility and reproduction have become apparent but are not generally appreciated. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4000 kinds of constituents, including nicotine, tar, carbonic monoxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. Because of the complexity of tobacco smoke components, the toxicological mechanism is notably complicated. Most studies have reported reduced semen quality, reproductive hormone system dysfunction and impaired spermatogenesis, sperm maturation, and spermatozoa function in smokers compared with nonsmokers. Underlying these effects, elevated oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cell apoptosis may play important roles collaboratively in the overall effect of tobacco smoking on male fertility. In this review, we strive to focus on both the phenotype of and the molecular mechanism underlying these harmful effects, although current studies regarding the mechanism remain insufficient.