title: Effects of smoking on testicular function, semen quality and sperm fertilizing capacity.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago, Japan.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sofikitis
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Miyagawa
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dimitriadis
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zavos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sikka
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hellstrom
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein; D013739:Testosterone