Effects of environmental tobacco smoke in vitro on rhesus monkey sperm function

The objective of this study was to use a non-human primate model to examine the effect of ETS on sperm function. Sperm samples were collected from adult rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and treated with different levels of ETS exposed medium. ETS treatment decreased the percentage of motile sperm and motion parameters. Sperm treated with ETS exposed medium showed a limited response to the activators and exhibited decreased binding to the zonae pellucida after activation. The mitochondrial integrity of the ETS-treated sperm was disrupted; however, there was no decrease in viability compared to control groups. Sperm acrosomal status was similar in the control and treatment groups. The results imply that the exposure of primate sperm to ETS could impair sperm transport in vivo.