- A new study by the Universities of Nottingham and Sheffield has identified gene changes in mice exposed to cigarette smoke that could explain links between smoking and infertility.
- Female mice exposed to smoke showed gene activity changes associated with ovarian ageing and reduced ovarian function, despite minimal structural changes to ovarian follicles.
- High smoke exposure in male mice led to structural changes in the testes and altered the activity of genes involved in sperm production and immune responses.
- Co-author Professor Lucy Fairclough stated the findings help reveal potential biological mechanisms affecting reproductive health in both men and women.
- Researchers emphasised that further studies are needed to determine how these specific biological changes directly impact human fertility.
IN FULL
Smoking may affect fertility in both men and women, new study finds
