Abstract
Recently the problem of infertility has become more acute. About 3% - 7% of couples suffer a lasting infertility problem and there is a tendency of constant increasing of this number. Existing data reveal that in many of the infertility cases, the cause of sterility is the disabled sperm as a result of the oxidative stress (OS). There are several sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the sperm. Both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants act as a counteraction against ROS production in seminal plasma. However due to the limited cytoplasm, the spermatozoa are more susceptible to oxidative damage because of the lack of protective cytoplasmic antioxidant enzymes. Currently, many couples suffering fertility problems resort to assisted reproductive technology (ART). Unfortunately, the success rate of ART is relatively low—about 30%. Sperm processing incl. centrifugation, freezing and thawing is associated with the generation of ROS. A range of strategies for sperm prevention of OS are developed. Many studies concern antioxidants and their impact on sperm function, but there are a lot of contradictions in terms of doses and types of combinations that can be used in ART. Future studies should aim the creation of standard and reliable operating procedures for increasing the successfulness of these techniques. This paper offers an overview of the impact of OS on the reproduction, pointing out the sources of ROS in the sperm, the antioxidant defense systems, and the strategies for prevention and improvement of the sperm reproductive functions, incl. those applied in ART.
Highlights
The problem of infertility has become more acute
This paper offers an overview of the impact of oxidative stress (OS) on the reproduction, pointing out the sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the sperm, the antioxidant defense systems, and the strategies for prevention and improvement of the sperm reproductive functions, incl. those applied in assisted reproductive technology (ART)
Impaired motility causes a smaller number of sperm reaching the egg, which in turn greatly reduces the likelihood of fertilization [16,17]; 3) ROS damage sperm DNA
Summary
The problem of infertility has become more acute, affecting couples from all over the world. One of each seven couples in the UK suffers reproductive problems. In Sweden, about 10% of the couples desiring children are infertile (according to data of the Sahlgrenska University Hospital). About 10% of the women aged 18 44 in the USA (6.1 million) experience difficulties in getting pregnant (according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of Disease (CDC, 2011). Pooled data reveal that worldwide between three and seven per cent of all couples suffer a lasting infertility problem (Report of The Department of Reproductive Health and Research at WHO, 2010). Many couples suffering fertility problems resort to assisted reproductive technology (ART), one of which is the in vitro method-the last and only hope for sterile couples. The success rate of ART is relatively low about 30%
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