title: Effect of smoking on the functional aspects of sperm and seminal plasma protein profiles in patients with varicocele.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  What are the effects of smoking on the functional aspects of the sperm, the levels of lipid peroxidation and the protein profile of seminal plasma in patients with varicocele?
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In men with varicocele, smoking is associated with altered semen quality, decreased sperm functional integrity and seminal oxidative stress. Alterations in seminal plasma protein profiles are also present and may explain the altered semen phenotype.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Varicocele is a major cause of male infertility. It reduces testicular blood renewal with a consequent accumulation of toxic substances. Thus, it can potentiate the toxic effects of environmental exposure to genotoxic substances such as those found in cigarette smoke.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed in 110 patients presenting with variococele to the Human Reproduction Section of the Sao Paulo Federal University (2006-2010). The patients were divided into a control group of non-smokers, a moderate smokers group and a heavy smokers group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semen parameters were analysed by standard methods. Sperm DNA integrity and mitochondrial activity were assessed by Comet assays and by 3,3'-diaminobenzidine deposition, respectively. The level of lipid peroxidation in semen was determined by malondialdehyde quantification. Proteomic studies were performed by 2D-electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups of smokers showed reduced semen quality in comparison with the control group. In the groups of smokers, sperm DNA integrity and mitochondrial activity were also decreased and lipid peroxidation levels were increased. Proteomic analyses revealed 20 proteins differentially expressed between the study groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A study including smokers without varicocele is still warranted as these results apply only to smokers who present varicocele.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with varicocele who are exposed to tobacco smoking present more important alterations to semen quality and sperm functional integrity and show changes in the seminal plasma proteome. This suggests testicular, and possibly systemic, adverse effects of smoking.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Funding for the study was provided by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (Fapesp) (2007/59423-7) and by the Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section at the São Paulo Federal University.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Human Reproduction Section, Sao Paulo Federal University, R Embau, 231, Sao Paulo, SP 04039-060, Brazil. rbertolla@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Roberta Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Fariello
authors.forename: Juliana Risso
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Pariz
authors.forename: Deborah Montagnini
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Spaine
authors.forename: Fábio César
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Gozzo
authors.forename: Eduardo Jorge
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Pilau
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fraietta
authors.forename: Ricardo Pimenta
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Bertolla
authors.forename: Cassio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andreoni
authors.forename: Agnaldo Pereira
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Cedenho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000378:metabolism; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010449:Peptide Mapping; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry; D055101:Semen Analysis; D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014646:Varicocele / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV