Impact of tobacco smoking in association with H2BFWT , PRM1 and PRM2 genes variants on male infertility

Abstract

Tobacco's genotoxic components can cause a wide range of gene defects in spermatozoa such as single-or double-strand DNA breaks, cross-links, DNA-adducts, higher frequencies of aneuploidy and chromosomal abnormalities. The aim in this study was to determine the correlation between sperm quality determined by standard parameters, sperm DNA maturity tested by Chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining, sperm DNA fragmentation tested by TUNEL assay and tobacco smoking in association with the single nucleotides polymorphisms (SNP) of three nuclear protein genes in spermatozoa (H2BFWT, PRM1 and PRM2). In this study, semen samples of 167 male patients were collected and divided into 54 non-smokers and 113 smokers. The target sequences in the extracted sperm DNA were amplified by PCR followed by Sanger sequencing. The results showed the presence of three variants: rs7885967, rs553509 and rs578953 in H2BFWT gene in the study population. Only one variant rs737008 was detected in PRM1 gene, and three variants were detected in the PRM2 gene: rs2070923, rs1646022 and rs424908.No significant association was observed between the concentration, progressive motility, morphology and the occurrence of H2BFWT, PRM1 and PRM2 SNPs.However, sperm parameters were significantly lower in heavy smokers compared to controls (p < 0.01) (sperm count: 46.00 vs. 78.50 mill/ml, progressive motility: 15.00% vs. 22.00%, and morphology 4.00% vs. 5.00%, respectively). Moreover, the heavy smoker individuals exhibited a considerable increase in CMA3 positivity and sDF compared to non-smokers (p < 0.01) (29.50% vs. 20.50% and 24.50% vs. 12.00%, respectively). In conclusion, smoking altered sperm parameters and sperm DNA integrity, but did not show a linkage with genetic variants in H2BFWT, and protamine genes (PRM1 and PRM2).

Impact of Heavy Smoking on the Expression Levels of PGAM5, PTPRN2 and TYRO3 and Its Correlation to Male Infertility

“…This study confirms that cigarette smoke plays a crucial role in altering human gene transcription levels in sperm as it affects chromatin remodeling [15], and global DNA methylation status [54], and DNA methylation at different CpG sites [8].…”

“…Several other factors, including age, stress, and lifestyle, such as obesity, smoking, and alcohol use, have been linked to male infertility [12][13][14][15][16].…”

H2BFWT Variations in Sperm DNA and Its Correlation to Pregnancy

“…In a previous study, Amor et al (2022) found no significant difference in allele frequency between heavy smokers and non-smokers for 3 homozygous SNPs in H2BFWT. Furthermore, the identified SNPs had no effect on sperm parameters and its DNA integrity [52].…”

Sperm DNA fragmentation testing in clinical management of reproductive medicine

“…Additionally, gene variations induced by smoking and exposure to toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present in cigarettes may play a role. [99][100][101] Overall, these studies emphasize the importance of quitting or reducing cigarette smoking to prevent higher SDF levels, which could have a significant impact on fertility and overall reproductive health.…”