For the past 40 years, health professionals have warned of life-threatening health risks associated with cigarette smoking like cancer, emphysema and heart disease. If those are not reasons enough to quit smoking, the male population can now add infertility to the consequences of tobacco use.
In a study presented last October to the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, lead researcher Dr. Lani Burkman and her team of researchers found that exposure to two of the chemicals associated with tobacco smoke can reduce the fertility potential of sperm.
"We were interested in toxicity and the way that it can affect fertility, specifically in reproductive physiology," said Burkman, head of andrology in the department of gynecology and obstetrics in the School of Medicine and Medical Sciences.
At the meeting, Burkman presented the findings of her team, which included research assistants Roxanne Mroz and Mary Lou Bodziak, as well as students Rachana Gurunatha and Dawn Palaszewski.
It was found that nicotine and cotinine, a chemical formed when the body breaks down nicotine, both have negative effects on the sperm's ability to perform functions necessary to fertilize an egg.
"When exposed to cigarette smoke, you're inhaling about 100 different chemicals," said Burkman.
Exposure to nicotine and cotinine disrupts the timing of hyperactivated swimming, a function in sperm that must occur at the proper time in order for fertilization to occur.
Considering the relatively young age of many UB students, the findings of this study may seem of marginal importance.
"I was a smoker for a number of years, and I've quit for over a year," said Paul Chen, a senior pharmacy major. "The results of the study don't really affect me for the short term, but I would like to have kids eventually."
Still, Burkman said that the potential for long-term effects on fertility does exist and that the results of her study are something to keep in mind for the future.
"If you're smoking now or exposed to it, nicotine and cotinine are in the system," said Burkman. "It also affects a basic layer of cells from which all future sperm come that stays there forever."
During testing, Burkman exposed a number of sperm samples to varying amounts of nicotine and cotinine and observed them while they performed three necessary functions: vigorous hyperactivated swimming, proper acrosomal changes and effective binding to the egg cover. The results showed that cigarette smoke has the potential to inhibit the execution of all of these tasks.
The chemicals also caused changes in the activation time of the acrosome, an area on the sperm's head which produces enzymes to soften the egg cover. In addition, the exposed sperm had a decreased ability to perform the essential function of binding to the egg cover.
Some students believe that smokers have more pressing health issues to be concerned with.
"You don't have to worry about fertility if it gives you cancer first," said Kelli Dochstader, a freshman communication design major.
"I would never date someone who smokes," said Stephanie Aylward, a junior health and human services major. "The fact that it may decrease fertility doesn't affect me. Isn't that the least of smoker worries?"
According to Burkman, plans are now underway for a study later in the year that should yield more specific information on the long-term effects of cigarettes on sperm function.
Burkman and her team will gather semen samples from a group of smokers who have agreed to quit without the aid of products like nicotine gum or patches. Samples will be taken and analyzed before quitting and once again afterward
"We will be looking at sperm quality as a smoker and then when they quit," said Burkman.
The results of this research will likely answer questions regarding the effects of the amount of nicotine and cotinine to which smokers are generally exposed.
"Many men who are smokers have babies, but we imagine that chronic smokers have some delays in fertility," said Burkman.
Though chronic smokers tend to have the highest exposure to these chemicals, even men who are subjected to secondhand smoke may be at risk. As of now, however, no studies have shown exactly how much exposure to cigarette smoke it takes to cause harm.
"We don't know how little is safe," said Burkman. "Maybe nothing is safe."
According to Chris Spicer, community trainer at Planned Parenthood, other factors play a role in sperm conditions. Spicer noted that the type of underwear men choose to wear might affect fertility.
"The testicles have to be a few degrees cooler, and 'tighty whities' keep them too close to the body," Spicer said. "Ever wonder why the testicles don't have a rib cage?"
-Additional reporting by Matt Jacobson, Web Director
