Open AccessIn Vitro Effects of Nicotine on Sperm Motility and Bio-Functional Flow Cytometry Sperm Parameters
Author(s) -
Rosita A. Condorelli,
Sandro La Vignera,
Filippo Giacone,
Licia Iacoviello,
Enzo Vicari,
Laura M. Mongioì,
Aldo E. Calogero
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international journal of immunopathology and pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.724
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 2058-7384
pISSN - 0394-6320
DOI - 10.1177/039463201302600317
Subject(s) - dna fragmentation , sperm , andrology , flow cytometry , phosphatidylserine , sperm motility , nicotine , apoptosis , motility , chemistry , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , programmed cell death , biochemistry , membrane , phospholipid , neuroscience
The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the effects of nicotine on sperm motility and on non-conventional sperm parameters in vitro. Capacitated spermatozoa isolated from 10 normozoospermic, healthy, non-smoker men were evaluated. Spermatozoa were exposed to increasing concentrations of nicotine (0, 1, 10, and 100 ng/ml) for 3 and 24 hours. Progressive motility and the following non-conventional sperm parameters, evaluated by flow cytometry, were assessed: mitochondrial membrane potential, viability, phosphatidylserine externalization, late apoptosis, degree of chromatin compactness, and DNA fragmentation. Nicotine suppressed, in a concentration-dependent manner, sperm progressive motility starting from the lowest concentration used (1 ng/ml). Similarly, it reduced the percentage of viable spermatozoa and increased the number of spermatozoa in late apoptosis, with altered chromatin compactness, or DNA fragmentation already after 3 hours of incubation. These effects were observed at a concentration similar (100 ng/ml) to that found in the seminal plasma of smokers (70 ng/ml), with the exception of the effects on sperm DNA fragmentation whose significant effect was detected also at a lower concentration (10 ng/ml). Nicotine may be regarded as a noxious component of cigarette smoke on the male reproductive function.