Effects of smoking on testicular function, semen quality and sperm fertilizing capacity.

PURPOSE

The effects of smoking on testicular function and sperm physiology were studied.

MATERIALS AND 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.