Cigarette smoking and hormones.
The purpose is to provide a summary of the effects of cigarette smoking on steroid hormone metabolism and how it affects female fertility.



Components of tobacco smoke such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons lead to transcriptional upregulation of a number of genes, including members of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) family, in particular CYP1B1 and CYP1A1. In humans, CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 are the primary enzymes catalyzing the 2-hydroxylation of estradiol. This pathway shunts available estrogen away from the more estrogenically potent 16α-hydroxylation to the production of catechol estrogens, mainly 2 and 4 hydroxyestradiol.



Smoking has multiple effects on hormone secretion and metabolism. These effects are mainly mediated by the pharmacological action of tobacco alkaloids (nicotine and its metabolite cotinine). A strong body of evidence indicates that the negative effects of cigarette smoking on fertility compromises nearly every system involved in the reproductive process.
IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center (affiliated with Sackler Medical School, Tel Aviv University), Kfar Sava, Israel.
Lilach
L
Marom-Haham
Adrian
A
Shulman
D000073865:Cigarette Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / Q000235:genetics; D065633:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1B1 / Q000235:genetics; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D037001:Directive Counseling; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016540:Smoking Cessation
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D012906:Smoke; D004958:Estradiol; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; C569463:CYP1A1 protein, human; C585496:CYP1B1 protein, human; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1; D065633:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1B1