[Smoking (active or passive) in relation to fertility, medically assisted procreation and pregnancy]

Maternal and paternal smoking are associated with numerous problems of reproduction and pregnancy. Among men, active smoking reduces the quality and mobility of the spermatozoa which could result in loss of fertility. It also increases the risk of impotence. Moreover, active smoking of the father is responsible for passive smoking for the mother and her baby. Among women, active smoking has a negative impact on fertility and in case of treatments against infertility, the chances of success are reduced. It leads to delayed conception and increases the risk of ectopic pregnancies and placental complications. It reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia but it also worsens its consequences. Passive smoking has not been associated with certainty with any clear impact on fertility among men and women. By contrast, active and passive smoking can lead to intra-uterine growth retardation and a lower birth weight.