Chapter 24 - Cigarette smoking and reproductive and developmental toxicity

Abstract

This chapter discusses the major observations and principal controversies relating to the effects of cigarette smoking and the constituents of tobacco on female and male reproduction and the development of offspring. Maternal smoking during pregnancy is known to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight, premature delivery, spontaneous abortion, placental abruption, perinatal mortality and ectopic pregnancy. Toxic compounds that have been identified in tobacco smoke include nicotine, PAHs and nitrosamines. For in vitro exposures, a commonly used method involves collection of smoke on a glass surface or filter. Reproductive and developmental toxicity are mainly caused by nicotine, carbon monoxide and PAH. Evidence indicates that the maternal genotype can play a role in cigarette smoke-induced effects on birth weight and gestational duration. Cigarette smoking affects female and male reproduction and prenatal and postnatal development. Cigarette smoking can cause toxic effects in fertility, ovary, ovarian follicular depletion, ovarian steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation, oviduct and fallopian tube and uterus and implantation. Both chromosomal and DNA damage to male germ cells may result from tobacco smoke exposure. Smoking is associated with an increase in spontaneous miscarriage in both natural and assisted conception cycles. Numerous studies have shown that placentas in pregnant women are targets of cigarette smoke. Effects of maternal smoking cause ovarian oocyte depletion, childhood asthma and childhood cancer. One possible pathophysiological process through which in utero exposure to tobacco might impair gonadal development and spermatogenesis has been recently proposed. Paternal smoking may reduce fertility in male descendants, as well as increase the risk of genetic diseases in offspring as a whole. Smoking cessation represents an important part of effective treatment for infertility.