EFFECTS OF SMOKING ON TESTICULAR FUNCTION, SEMEN QUALITY AND SPERM FERTILIZING-CAPACITY

Purpose: The effects of smoking on testicular function and sperm physi ology were studied. Materials and Methods: Left testicular biopsy was performed in 49 smokers and 28 nonsmokers. Seminal specimens from thes e men were analyzed. Results: Testosterone levels in the left testicul ar vein, left testicular androgen-binding protein secretion rate (in v itro), sperm motility, percentage of morphologically normal spermatozo a, sperm morphometric parameters and outcome of sperm function tests w ere significantly lower (p < 0.05) in smokers than in nonsmokers. Conc lusions: Morphological sperm abnormalities due to secretory dysfunctio n of the Leydig and Sertoli cells may be the cause of impaired sperm f ertilizing capacity in smokers.