Sperm Count Halved in Sons of Smoking Dads!

We often hear the theory that when a mother smokes, it will definitely affect the conceived baby and even reduced sperm count in male offspring. But recent published investigations from Sweden proved otherwise.

Male offsprings whose fathers smoked at the time of pregnancy have half of the number of sperm compared to those with non-smoking fathers. Research has show the impact on lower sperm count is independent of nicotine usage by the mother.

The study was conducted among 104 young men (aged between 17-20). To control the variables, researcher adjusted the mother’s own exposure to nicotine, socioeconomic factors, and the son’s own smoking. The result found out that men with fathers who smoked had a 41% lower sperm concentration and 51% fewer sperm than men with non-smoking fathers.

Cotinine is a biomarker and also a metabolite of nicotine which can be measured in the blood. By measuring the cotinine level, researcher could see whether an individual smoked or whether they had been exposed to passive smoking.

What is the Underlying Mechanism behind the Low Sperm Counts?

We had always known that it is harmful for the fetus when mother smokes. But the link between smoking fathers and various health outcomes has become much clearer.

Unlike mother’s egg, father’s sperm cells divide continuously throughout the reproductive life. Hence, the chance of mutation is higher at the moment of cell division. Tobacco smoke contains a lot of substances which can cause mutation. No one can spot whether the sperm which fertilizes the ovum is actually mutated or not. Hence the sperm pass on genes that result in reduced sperm quality in the male offspring.

There is a link between smoking and damaged DNA in the sperm, that is why smokers have more breaks in the DNA strand. Hence, children of fathers who smoke, presents with mutations in a certain repetitive part of DNA compared to children whose father does not smoke. Additionally mutated DNA in sperm may cause genetic defects and increase cancer risks!

Dear dads, fatherhood begins before conception, starting with your sperm. Smoking is harmful to the reproductive process at every stage and to the future child’s health. The only way to protect yourself, your unborn baby and your whole family from harm is to quit. There will be no perfect moment to quit smoking but NOW.

You can consult with a doctor to help you quit smoking.

Find a GP/Family Doctor in Malaysia, on GetDoc

Find a GP/Family Doctor in Singapore, on GetDoc

Reference

1. Smoking and male infertility. [Internet][cited 2019 April 19^th] Available from:

https://ivforlando.com/news-resources/blog-fertility-journey/posts/2018/december/sons-of-fathers-who-smoke-have-50-percent-lower-sperm-counts/

2. Paternal smoking. [Internet][cited 2019 April 19^th] Available from:

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0207221

3. Science daily. [Internet][cited 2019 April 19^th] Available from:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181126105455.htm

4. Science Nordic. [Internet][cited 2019 April 19^th] Available from:

http://sciencenordic.com/boys-born-smoking-fathers-have-reduced-sperm-count

Tags

• pregnancy
• smoking
• sperm count