By Katy Sinclair:
Aberdeen University researchers have found a link between maternal smoking during pregnancy and reduced fertility in boys, because of its affect on a key testis gene, it was reported in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
The research team examined 22 human fetuses between 11 and 19 weeks of pregnancy looking at the levels of genes key to the development of testicles. They found significant reductions in a gene called DHH, which helps to control normal testicle growth. The fetuses where women smoked 10 plus cigarettes a day had half the DHH gene levels than the non-smoking ones. Small testicles have been linked to a low sperm count.
Paul Fowler, the lead researcher, commented that 'this is the first time that the gene DHH, which plays a key role in the male's normal development, has been linked to maternal smoking and fertility problems'. Although he acknowledged that the research findings were preliminary, and more work was needed.
Dr Allan Pacey, secretary of the British Fertility Society, stated 'we already know smoking is not advised during pregnancy and this helps to understand why it affects fertility'. Professor Siladitya Bhattacharya, a colleague of Mr Fowler's, said that the research reinforced the message that women should not smoke while pregnant.
Sources and References
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Pregnancy smoking fertility link
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Smoking in pregnancy linked to male infertility
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Smoking while pregnant 'reduces fertility of baby boys'
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