Influence of Cigarette Smoking on Vitamin E, Vitamin A, β-Carotene and Lycopene Concentrations in Human Pre-Ovulatory Follicular Fluid

Abstract

Increasing evidence suggests that fat soluble vitamins and micronutrients have the potential for local modulation of follicular development. Cigarette smoking has been associated with accelerated follicular depletion and derangement of reproductive functions. The present study was initiated to investigate the impact of cigarette smoking on follicular and plasma concentrations of vitamin A, vitamin E, lycopene and beta-carotene. Samples were collected from 17 smokers and 43 non-smoking women undergoing assisted reproduction techniques. Assays were carried out by a reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Smokers had significantly (P < 0.05) lower levels of follicular fluid beta-carotene in comparison to non-smokers (0.02 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.09 +/- 0.02, respectively). No other significant influences on follicular and plasma concentrations were noted. Smokers showed a significantly (P < 0.05) lower fertilization rate in comparison to non-smokers, (55.9 % vs. 71.5 % , respectively). It is postulated that follicular depletion of the antioxidant beta-carotene occurs in response to oxidative stress imposed by cigarette smoke.

Oxidative parameters of embryo culture media may predict treatment outcome in in vitro fertilization: a novel applicable tool for improving embryo selection

“…Cigarette smoking has been reported as detrimental to human fertility because of various pathologic mechanisms (39,40). We found an association between a woman's smoking status and the TCL parameters of embryo culture media.…”

Inhibitory effect of quercetin on tryptase and interleukin-6 release, and histidine decarboxylase mRNA transcription by human mast cell-1 cell line

“…We found that actinomycin D, a drug that blocks the transcription of new RNA, and cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, abolished the reduction of HDC mRNA in cells treated overnight with quercetin. These results suggest that HDC mRNA downregulation by quercetin is a complex process that could require the transcription and translation of one or several genes to decrease HDC mRNA expression [40,[42][43][44][45]. It has been proposed recently that mast cells can be modulated to secrete effector molecules at different kinetics and magnitudes depending on environmental factors [12].…”

Oxidative stress in an assisted reproductive techniques setting

“…Another mechanism by which smoking can impair oocyte quality via increased levels of oxidative stress is by depleting levels of the antioxidant ␤-carotene. In one study, it was reported that fertilization rates were significantly lower in smokers with lower follicular fluid ␤-carotene levels (35).…”