Impact of heavy alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking on sperm DNA  integrity

Abstract

The purposes of the presents study were to investigate the impact of alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking on semen parameters and sperm DNA quality, as well as to determine whether tobacco smoking, or alcohol consumption causes more deterioration of sperm quality. Two hundred and eleven semen samples of men were included in this study. Four groups were studied: heavy smokers (N = 48), heavy drinkers (N = 52), non‐smokers (n = 70), and non‐drinkers (n = 41). Semen parameters were determined according to WHO guidelines, protamine deficiency assessed by chromomycin (CMA3) staining, and sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) evaluated by TUNEL assay. Sperm parameters were significantly higher in non‐smokers versus smokers and in non‐drinkers versus drinkers (p < 0.005). However, protamine deficiency and sDF were significantly lower in non‐smokers versus smokers and in non‐drinkers versus drinkers (p < 0.0001). No significant difference in the semen analysis parameters was observed between heavy smokers and heavy drinkers (semen volume: 3.20 ± 1.43 vs. 2.81 ± 1.56 ml, semen count: 65.75 ± 31.32 vs. 53.51 ± 32.67 mill/ml, total motility: 24.27 ± 8.18 vs. 23.75 ± 1.75%, sperm vitality: 36.15 ± 18.57 vs. 34.62 ± 16.65%, functional integrity: 41.56 ± 18.57 vs. 45.96 ± 17.98% and the morphologically normal spermatozoa: 28.77 ± 11.82 vs. 27.06 ± 13.13%, respectively). However, protamine deficiency was significantly higher among drinkers than smokers (37.03 ± 9.75 vs. 33.27 ± 8.56%, p = 0.020). The sDF was also significantly higher among drinkers than smokers (22.37 ± 7.60 vs. 15.55 ± 3.33%, p < 0.0001). Thus, cigarette smoking, and heavy alcohol intake can deteriorate sperm quality. However, alcohol consumption deteriorates sperm maturity and damages DNA integrity at significantly higher rates than cigarette smoking.

Evaluation of sperm DNA fragmentation in male infertility

“…Although our results are consistent with the previous results showing no negative effects of cigarette smoking on sperm DFI (De Bantel et al, 2014;Sergerie et al, 2000), their study includes normal healthy men and patients with suspected infertility. On the contrary, some research suggests a significant relationship between smoking and sperm DFI (Amor et al, 2022;Choucair et al, 2016;Elshal et al, 2009). Sepaniak et al (2006) reported a significantly higher percentage of sperm DFI in smokers than in non-smokers (Sepaniak et al, 2006).…”

Impact of cancer on cryopreserved sperm quality and fertility: A cohort study

“…This might be because most of our patients were non‐smoker (55%) and did not drink alcohol for 58.3% of them. With regards to alcohol consumption units, this data remains unknown for 14.7% of our patients but we do know that heavy smoking and alcohol abuse are both deleterious for sperm quality 26,27 . Nevertheless, these parameters should be taken into account in an andrology assessment as they induce oxidative stress and DNA damage 28–30 …”

“…With regards to alcohol consumption units, this data remains unknown for 14.7% of our patients but we do know that heavy smoking and alcohol abuse are both deleterious for sperm quality. 26,27 Nevertheless, these parameters should be taken into account in an andrology assessment as they induce oxidative stress and DNA damage. [28][29][30] Age was also considered as an important parameter as a metaanalysis showed a trend of a lower sperm concentration with increasing paternal age, due to endocrine disruptors and accumulated oxidative stresses.…”

Decrease of air pollution during lockdown in Tuscany (Italy): An effect on sperm DNA fragmentation?

“…Interestingly, no change was found between the two groups regarding conditions which could affect sDF amount and/or progressive motility, including exposure to toxicant (Irnandi et al, 2021; Recio‐Vega et al, 2008) or high temperature (Garolla et al, 2013), smoking habits (Axelsson et al, 2022; Sharma et al, 2016), alcohol consumption (Amor et al, 2022; Martini et al, 2004), varicocele (Blumer et al, 2008; Pallotti et al, 2018), and recent urogenital infections (Pagliuca et al, 2021; Weidner et al, 2013). The two groups were also similar for age, abstinence, drug consumption, daily sedentary time, and intensity of physical exercise (Table 1), all affecting sperm progressive motility and/or DNA quality as well (Gaskins et al, 2015; Hallak et al, 2020; Lu et al, 2020; Priskorn et al, 2016; Vaughan et al, 2020).…”