Smoking and low antioxidant levels increase oxidative damage to sperm DNA
CG Fraga, PA Motchnik, AJ Wyrobek… - Mutation Research …, 1996 - Elsevier
Our previous studies have shown that men with low ascorbate intake have markedly
increased oxo8dG in the DNA of their sperm. Because cigarette smoke is high in oxidants
and depletes plasma and tissue antioxidants, oxidative DNA damage in sperm and
tocopherol and ascorbate levels in seminal plasma were determined in smokers and non-
smokers. The level in sperm DNA of oxo8dG, an oxidative lesion of guanine, was 50%
higher in smokers compared to non-smokers (p= 0.005). The concentration of α-tocopherol …
increased oxo8dG in the DNA of their sperm. Because cigarette smoke is high in oxidants
and depletes plasma and tissue antioxidants, oxidative DNA damage in sperm and
tocopherol and ascorbate levels in seminal plasma were determined in smokers and non-
smokers. The level in sperm DNA of oxo8dG, an oxidative lesion of guanine, was 50%
higher in smokers compared to non-smokers (p= 0.005). The concentration of α-tocopherol …
