Abstract
Infertility is defined as a couple’s inability to conceive after at least one year of regular unprotected intercourse. This condition has become a global health problem affecting approximately 187 million couples worldwide and about half of the cases are attributable to male factors. Oxidative stress is a common reason for several conditions associated with male infertility. High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) impair sperm quality by decreasing motility and increasing the oxidation of DNA, of protein and of lipids. Multi-antioxidant supplementation is considered effective for male fertility parameters due to the synergistic effects of antioxidants. Most of them act by decreasing ROS concentration, thus improving sperm quality. In addition, other natural molecules, myo-inositol (MI) and d-chiro–inositol (DCI), ameliorate sperm quality. In sperm cells, MI is involved in many transduction mechanisms that regulate cytoplasmic calcium levels, capacitation and mitochondrial function. On the other hand, DCI is involved in the downregulation of steroidogenic enzyme aromatase, which produces testosterone. In this review, we analyze the processes involving oxidative stress in male fertility and the mechanisms of action of different molecules.
Highlights
Introduction and GerardinoD’ErricoInfertility is diagnosed after at least one year of regular unprotected intercourse without conception
The results reported a strengthening of antioxidant capacity both in testes and in the epididymides of treated rats that were previous treated with long
Antioxidant could represent an adjuvant treatment in such cases, avoiding further damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS)
Summary
Introduction and GerardinoD’ErricoInfertility is diagnosed after at least one year of regular unprotected intercourse without conception. Diagnosis of infertility has become a global health concern, occurring in about 187 million couples worldwide, and approximately half of the cases are attributable to male factors [1,2]. Oxidative stress caused by a high amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been observed in 30–80% of infertile patients [3,4]. High levels of ROS promote impairment of sperm quality mainly by decreasing motility and increasing the levels of DNA oxidation, protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation [5]. Lifestyle [6,7], genetics [8] and environment, such as exposure to chemicals [9], represent risk factors for male infertility. Several pathologies may cause infertility, including varicocele and endocrine unbalance, all related to oxidative stress and DNA damage [6]
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