The male reproductive system consists of hypothalamus and the pituitary glands, these glands produce hormones that simulate the production of testosterones while the testicles produce sperm. Other glands are involved in the maturity of the sperm. Abuse of drugs can lead to long term or short term effects to these glands, which can cause the production of hormones to be inhibited. In some men they will produce sperms that are suboptimal either in quantity or quality. In many cases the production of sperm will decline due to the excessive use of the drugs (Bardin and Paulsen, 1981).
Due to the abuse of tobacco and alcohol, men can experience a wide range of effects such as sexually transmitted diseases (STD’S), infertility, sexual dysfunction and cancer. Excessive intake of alcohol lowers the immune system of the body, making it easier to contract STD’S. It can also cause hormonal level to reduce therefore affecting the movement of the sperm and leading to infertility (Mathusami & Chinnaswamy 2005).There can also be performance enhancement drugs that increase testosterone levels in the blood streams leading to the reproductive organs to produce lower amount of hormones.
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The intake of drugs can affect fetus in different ways and interfere with the growth and development of a child, this is referred to as teratogens. The fetus can be affected in different ways such as low birth weight, birth defects, heart defects, brain disorders and sometimes death. According to (David, 2005) certain drugs enter the testicles through the blood stream therefore lowering the sperm count and the mobility of these sperms is also diminished. The damaged sperms can inhibit with the reproduction by altering the process in which sperms are selected to fertilize the egg (David, 2005).
In conclusion, toxicity to the male reproduction system is a common effect caused by certain commonly used drugs. Most of the effects are irreversible and can lead to long term and short term effects to both the man and the fetus.
References
Bardin, C.W. and Paulsen, C.A. (1981). The testes. texbook of endocrinology. Philadelphia: Saunders Company.
David, B. (2005). teratrogen update; lead and pregnancy. Washington DC: Willey.
Muthusami, K. R., & Chinnaswamy, P. (2005). Effect of chronic alcoholism on male fertility hormones and semen quality. Fertility and sterility , 84 (4), 919-924.
