- 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.
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