By ameliorating redox imbalance, patients of oligoasthenospermia increased sperm acrosin activity after smoking cessation in Chinese.

Background: The massive harmful effects of cigarette (tobacco) smoking on reproduction and fecundity are apparent. Even smoking cessation is often suggested for infertility patients by clinic doctors, while the impact of smoking cessation on semen quality in patients with oligoasthenospermia is uncovered.

Methods: Ninety oligoasthenospermia patients with long tobacco smoking history were directed by andrology doctors to cease smoking, and their cessation was followed up for 3 to 6 months. The changes of semen quality after cessation in patients with at least 70% cessation ratio were evaluated by Paired-t-test for the changes in sperm concentration (SC), sperm progressive motility (PR), sperm volume (SV), sperm acrosin activity (SAA), total sperm count (TSC), normal sperm morphology rate (NSMR) and DNA fragmentation index (DFI). The cessation index was calculated for each patient, and its correlation with changes of semen parameters was analyzed.

Results: Among 90 study cases, 81 were followed up successfully. Upon andrology doctors' routine instructions, only 19 (23.5%, 19/81) achieved a minimum requirement of 70% cessation ratio. In such a cessation level, only SAA has a significant difference after smoking cessation and a significant correlation was observed between the cessation index with the changes in SAA. Inceased glutathione (GSH) level and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were found in sperm cells and seminal plasma after smoking cessation.

Conslusions: Andrology doctors' routine instructions could not accomplish an ideal level of smoking cessation. The intervene of tobacco smoking cessation for patients of oligoasthenospermia only resulted in a significant improvement of SAA by ameliorating redox imbalance. The goal of improving male reproductive function may be achieved by further improvement of smoking cessation strategies.