Prenatal exposure to smoking and male reproductive health.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To assess whether prenatal exposure to smoking is associated with impaired reproductive health in exposed men.

RECENT FINDINGS: Men who have been exposed to maternal smoking in utero have smaller testes and impaired semen quality as compared to nonexposed men, suggesting toxic effects on Sertoli and/or germ cells. According to meta-analyses there is only a weak or no association with fetal exposure to smoking and the incidence of testicular germ cell cancer, cryptorchidism, or hypospadias.

SUMMARY: Adverse effect of maternal smoking on sperm production capacity of their son is yet another good reason for women to quit smoking before pregnancy.