Smoking Effects on Male Fertility

Abstract

Numerous studies have attempted to assess the effects of smoking on male reproductive physiology, including sperm parameters, male reproductive anatomy, as well as the male hormonal axes. Yet the results have been equivocal and contradictory. Our objective was to compile the current literature regarding how cigarette smoke exposure can contribute to male infertility. Environmental factors make it difficult to unravel the effects of smoking versus other lifestyle elements. However, with the increased efforts to limit smoke exposure, it is important to parse out potential reversible effects of smoking on the human body. It is well established that toxins in cigarette smoke produce radical oxygen species that cause oxidative damage to nearly every organ system. This increased stress has cascading effects stemming from an impaired hormonal axis, down to causing immotile spermatocytes. Disrupting the normal hormonal axis responsible for reproductive signaling; impairing correct, healthy spermatogenesis; and causing direct damage to mature sperm products are but a few of the etiologies of how smoking can contribute to male infertility.