Teratogen is a factor or agent that, in one way or another, causes the malformation of a fetus. Although this could be exemplified by diseases such as German measles in the case that the mother is affected while pregnant, the focus here is mainly on substance use, for example, alcohol and other hard drugs. Although the focus has mainly been on what the mother consumes and how it affects the unborn baby, it is also possible that if the man smokes, drinks, or takes other drugs the unborn baby will be significantly affected.
Through genomic contribution, the fetus could be subject to paternal, mutations, with a severity that increases with the toxicity of the body environment of the father. Sperm DNA damage exemplifies the above concept. For male adults who smoke, their sperms are likely to have a high level of BaP-DNA adducts. This is likely to affect the fetus by causing oxidative stress (Anderson, Schmid & Baumgartner, 2014). The above facts have been echoed by (Hall, 1998) who asserts that teens who smoke increasingly put themselves at risk of sperm damage and hence causing congenital malformation. This is mainly through chromosomal damage of the smoker, who, in turn, contributes the chromosomes of the fetus.
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It has also been proven beyond doubt that other hard drugs such as cocaine could contribute to fetus malformation in various ways. The use of cocaine by the fetus’ father, for example, is linked with mental related problems. Alcohol use also contributes to the acquisition of disabilities by the unborn baby. "Men have babies, too!", ( n.d.) Assert that in Alaska, approximately 160 babies with alcohol caused disabilities are born each year. The risk of congenital malformation, hence, can be contributed towards by both partners.
In conclusion, men, too, can significantly contribute to Teratogen. There is, therefore, a need for awareness to be raised about this issue as many do not understand that their drug consumption behavior significantly affects the unborn baby.
References
Anderson, D., Schmid, T. E., & Baumgartner, A. (2014). Male-mediated developmental toxicity. Asian journal of andrology , 16 (1), 81.
Hall, C. (1998). Teen Males Who Smoke Risk Sperm Damage / Study links birth defects to tobacco. Retrieved 6 October 2019, from https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Teen-Males-Who-Smoke-Risk-Sperm-Damage-Study-2987751.php
Men have babies, too!. Retrieved 6 October 2019, from http://www.come-over.to/FAS/mentoo.htm
