[Electronic cigarettes and fertility: True or false friends?]

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Toxicology
• Endocrinology
• Public Health

Context:

• Electronic cigarette use has increased in France over the last decade.
• Safety data and usage patterns remain fragmented and debated.
• Often marketed as a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes and a smoking cessation aid.

Purpose:

• To investigate the impact of electronic cigarette use on human reproductive health.
• To address the lack of scientific data on electronic cigarettes' effects on fertility.
• To evaluate the influence of nicotine and vapors on the reproductive systems of both sexes.

Summary:

• Electronic cigarettes, while containing fewer harmful substances than traditional ones, possess toxic products like endocrine disruptors.
• Animal studies indicate that exposure to electronic cigarettes negatively affects reproductive system homeostasis, morphology, and function.
• Current research on human reproductive health effects is scarce, with no studies on Assisted Reproductive Technology outcomes.

Impact:

• Highlights the potential risks of electronic cigarettes to reproductive health, particularly concerning fertility.
• Emphasizes the need for further investigation into the effects of electronic cigarette use on human reproductive systems.
• Motivates ongoing research, such as the IVF-VAP study, to fill critical knowledge gaps.