Effects of smoking on testicular function, semen quality and sperm fertilizing capacity.
OBJECTIVE
The effects of smoking on testicular function and sperm physiology were studied.


METHODS
Left testicular biopsy was performed in 49 smokers and 28 nonsmokers. Seminal specimens from these men were analyzed.


RESULTS
Testosterone levels in the left testicular vein, left testicular androgen-binding protein secretion rate (in vitro), sperm motility, percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa, sperm morphometric parameters and outcome of sperm function tests were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in smokers than in nonsmokers.


CONCLUSIONS
Morphological sperm abnormalities due to secretory dysfunction of the Leydig and Sertoli cells may be the cause of impaired sperm fertilizing capacity in smokers.
Sofikitis
N
N
Department of Urology, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago, Japan.
Miyagawa
I
I
Dimitriadis
D
D
Zavos
P
P
Sikka
S
S
Hellstrom
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D014680:Veins
D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein; D013739:Testosterone