The influence of cigarette smoking on human sperm quality and DNA fragmentation.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate consequences of cigarette smoking on male gametes. In this prospective study, sperm parameters such as sperm density, motility, viability and normal morphology were measured according to the WHO criteria. In addition to these standard parameters, we analysed the degree of DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa using the TUNEL-assay with flow cytometry detection in 57 non-smokers and 51 smokers seeking for infertility counselling.