Smoking is accused in wide range of medical disorders, and is a common preventable cause of
many diseases. Recent trials have studied the causal connection between smoking and male fertility
suppression and discovered that many deleterious particles are transferred through tobacco fumes into
the testis and ultimately damage sperms; resulting in suppression of various sperm parameters and
fertility potential. Smoking causes damage to the sperm DNA, which leads to deterioration of function
and marked reduction in the sperm fertilizing capacity. Additionally, a study showed that DNA
abnormalities caused by smoking may be genetically transferred to the off springs of smokers. In some
reports it is proven that smoking results in decline in testosterone levels adding to its negative effects on
fertility.
Alcohol can impair human reproduction and results in reduction of male fertility at different
levels. Some studies incriminated alcohol to cause testicular damage leading to reduction in
testosterone secretion and diminution of sperm counts. Additionally it causes suppression of liver
function; which is the source of elimination of many toxic materials in the body. When these toxic
elements accumulate (due to liver malfunction) they result in deleterious effects on testicular function
and ultimately affect sperm production. One additional adverse effect is the accumulation of the
normally existing small concentrations of estrogens, resulting from reduced elimination by the defective
liver, and therefore the build-up of estrogen associated with decline in testosterone are incriminated to
negatively affect male reproduction and sexuality.
Aside from the commonly known diseases incriminated by obesity such as diabetes, high
cholesterol levels, hypertension and heart disease, the deleterious effects on male reproduction could
not be overlooked. Some studies have shown that testosterone levels may be reduced and estrogen
levels are occasionally elevated among obese patients. On a different level, numerous studies have
displayed the deleterious impact of obesity on the testis, causing major sperm defects and hence
significant fertility suppression.
Every time we come across those heavily built and muscular athletes a
question pops in to our minds, is it genuine or artificial? Steroids, or exogenously administered
testosterone shots (T-shots) are used for several indications, and whether used for medical purposes or
as recreational performance enhancing drugs (Muscle building and repair) they have profound impact
on male fertility. Indications make no difference when it comes to T-shot effects on male reproduction,
they may render the male infertile. By the time a testosterone shot is administered, brain glands
recognize it immediately; however it lacks the capacity to identify its source, whether it being from the
testes (Endogenous) or simply an injection (Exogenous T-shot). As described previously, the brain glands
act through the feedback mechanism, same as the fridge thermostat, so after receiving T-shots, the
brain glands will immediately shut down all gonadotropins (GN’s) to the testes namely the LH and FSH
(Being tricked thinking that this massive testosterone levels are coming from the testes), however this
will ultimately result in marked reduction in the natural testosterone secretion from the testis
(Endogenous) and eventually arrest in sperm production.
The testis which is the prime male reproductive organ displays temperature sensitivity,
and the inadvertent heat exposure may result in reduction in sperm quality and quantity; this explains
why the testes are normally situated externally in the scrotum unlike the ovaries in females, escaping
the relatively high core body temperature. Sources of heat exposure are multiple e.g. heat emitted from
laptops especially when placed over the thighs, frequent use of saunas, hot tubs and heated whirlpools,
wearing tight pants and under garments and working close to heat source as in factories or in front of
ovens.
Workers in petrochemical industries are at risk of petrochemical induced
fertility suppression, which is due to the inhalation of toxic fumes and which may lead to damage of the
sperm DNA, which is the functional part of the sperms and hence result in various degrees of fertility
suppression.
