Chapter 2 - Oxidative stress in pathologies of male reproductive disorders

Abstract

The etiopathology of male infertility involves the complex interplay of numerous factors. Environmental and lifestyle factors, diet, exposure to radiation and several other factors may affect the male reproductive system. It is evident that most of these factors contribute to male infertility via induction of oxidative stress (OS). Excess generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the male reproductive tract via endogenous or exogenous sources above the antioxidant capacity leads to OS. OS is responsible for altered sperm morphology and functions through lipid peroxidation, deoxyribose nucleic acid fragmentation, and germ cell apoptosis, which are reflected in poor semen parameters and fertilizing capability, resulting in male subfertility or infertility. This chapter confers the generation of ROS in the male reproductive tract, the role of ROS in pathogenesis of various male reproductive disorders, mechanisms by which OS affects male fertility, and an assessment of ROS and the use of antioxidants in the management of OS-induced male infertility.