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Oxidative stress & male infertility
Reprint requests: Dr Ashok Agarwal, Professor & Director, Center for Reproductive Medicine Staff, Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute & Obsterics-Gynecology & Women’s Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue Desk A19.1, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA e-mail: Agarwaa@ccf.org
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Abstract
The male factor is considered a major contributory factor to infertility. Apart from the conventional causes for male infertility such as varicocoele, cryptorchidism, infections, obstructive lesions, cystic fibrosis, trauma, and tumours, a new and important cause has been identified: oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a result of the imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants in the body. It is a powerful mechanism that can lead to sperm damage, deformity and eventually, male infertility. This review discusses the physiological need for ROS and their role in normal sperm function. It also highlights the mechanism of production and the pathophysiology of ROS in relation to the male reproductive system and enumerate the benefits of incorporating antioxidants in clinical and experimental settings.
