{
  "id": 14319346,
  "title": "Smoking may affect fertility in both men and women",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/smoking-may-affect-fertility-in-both-men-and-women",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-13T23:30:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-10-affect-fertility-men-women.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Recent research has uncovered potential links between cigarette smoke exposure and reproductive health issues in both men and women. Led by scientists from the universities of Nottingham and Sheffield, the study published in the journal Frontiers revealed alterations in the biological processes governing ovarian function and sperm production, potentially explaining the connection between smoking and fertility problems.\n\nThe researchers used a mouse model to study the effects of varying levels of cigarette smoke on reproductive tissues, particularly focusing on ovarian follicles in females and structures within the testes in males. For females, the overall number and structure of the ovarian follicles remained relatively unchanged, even at higher exposure levels. However, there were significant changes in the activity of numerous genes related to cell division and metabolism, as well as those associated with protein production. These patterns of gene activity resembled processes observed in ovarian aging and reduced ovarian function.\n\nIn males, higher levels of cigarette smoke exposure led to changes in the testicular structure, including enlargement of the seminiferous tubules, where sperm develop. Researchers also noted alterations in the activity of genes involved in sperm production, immune responses, and cell signaling. Some genes linked to sperm production became more active, while others related to immune function became less active, suggesting these changes could impact testicular function and sperm development.\n\nProfessor Lucy Fairclough from the University of Nottingham explained that the study identified potential biological mechanisms that may help explain the link between smoking and reproductive health in both sexes. Specifically, in females, changes in gene activity related to ovarian aging and reduced function were observed, while in males, alterations in genes involved in sperm production and testicular function were detected. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding how smoking exposure affects reproductive health, though further research is needed to establish the direct correlation with fertility in humans.\n\nDr. Adam Watkins from the University of Sheffield noted that while the overall structure of the ovary remained unchanged in females, the testis showed measurable morphological changes. In the ovary, genes regulating cell proliferation and protein synthesis were affected, whereas in the testis, genes involved in sperm production were altered. Despite focusing on the ovaries and testes, the study provides new mechanistic insights into how smoking might influence reproductive health, highlighting the need for more research to fully understand the underlying biological processes.",
  "summary": "New research has shed light on how exposure to cigarette smoke could affect reproductive health in both men and women, identifying changes in biological processes involved in ovarian function and sperm production.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}