Evaluation of the association of cigarette smoking with retention of excess cytoplasm by spermatozoa in infertile men

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of smoking on retention of excess cytoplasm by spermatozoa in infertile men. Patients and methodsTwo groups of idiopathic infertile men, group 1 (20 smokers) and group 2 (20 nonsmokers), were included in the study. The cytoplasmic droplet (CD)/defective CD was evaluated as an independent variable in Papanicolaou-stained seminal smears for each participant, in addition to the standard semen parameter. CD greater than one-third the sperm head size was considered defective [excess residual cytoplasm (ERC)]. ResultsDefective CD (ERC), total head defects, total tail defects, and total abnormal forms were significantly higher in the smoker group. Significant positive correlation was found between defective CD (ERC) and both the number of smoked cigarettes/day and the duration of smoking. ConclusionRetention of excess cytoplasm by spermatozoa may reflect the negative impact of cigarette smoking on sperm quality, function, and fertility potential in men. CD/defective CD should be evaluated as an independent variable (parameter). We suggest that cutoff values of normality and abnormality of percentage of spermatozoa with CD and defective CD be clearly defined, as defective CDs not only affect the spermatozoa carrying them but may also affect the normal ones.