Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Sperm Count and Sperm Motility

Abstract Background: Male reproductive functions may be altered by chronic exposure to bioactive compounds of cigarette smoke leading to a condition called as ‘oxidative stress’ by free radical generation. Oxidative stress is a condition with an increased rate of spermatozoal cellular damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) through lipid peroxidation. The present study is aimed to study the effect of cigarette smoking on sperm count and sperm motility & to analyze the combined effects of number of cigarettes smoked per day and duration of exposure to cigarette smoking in the years on sperm count. Material and Methods: About 100 semen samples were studied for sperm count and sperm motility. Out of these 100 samples, 50 semen samples were obtained from cigarette non smokers (as controls) and 50 semen samples were obtained from cigarette smokers (as cases). Sperm count & sperm motility between smokers and non smokers were compared. Results: A statistically significant decrease in sperm count and sperm motility was found in smokers as compared to nonsmokers while statistically significant positive correlation between smoking index and sperm count was found. Conclusion: Cigarette smoking leads to detrimental effect on sperm count and sperm motility through lipid peroxidation and other contributory factors. It is also related to duration of exposure to cigarette smoke.