The role of antioxidant therapy in the treatment of male infertility: an overview

Abstract

In recent years, many studies have focused on the effect of oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants on the male eproductive system. Under physiological conditions, sperm produces small amounts of ROS, which are needed for fertilisation, acrosome reaction and capacitation. However, if an increased production of ROS is not associated with a similar increase in scavenging systems, peroxidative damage of the sperm plasma membrane and loss of DNA integrity typically occur, which leads to cell death and reduced fertility. Furthermore, since there is no linear correlation between sperm quality and pregnancy rates, an improvement in semen parameters should not be the sole outcome considered in studies of antioxidant therapies. A definitive conclusion regarding the benefit of these therapies is difficult to obtain, as most of the previous studies lacked control groups, considered different antioxidants in different combinations and doses, or did not evaluate pregnancy rates in previously infertile couples. Even if beneficial effects were reported in a few cases of male infertility, more multicentre, double-blind studies performed with the same criteria are necessary for an increased understanding of the effects of various antioxidants on fertility.

Oxytocin in The Prevention of Injury Due to Testicular Torsion/Detorsion in Rats

“…[33] In normal conditions, ROS expression plays physiological roles in cellular differentiation, sperm capacitation, acrosome reaction, and maintenance of fertilizing ability, whereas oxygen free radicals at concentrations beyond physiological limits result in oxidative stress. [34,35] ROS overexpression secondary to oxidative stress can negatively affect proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and other molecules and leads to cell membrane lipid peroxidation, protein denaturation, DNA damage, inflammation, cell proliferation, cell dysfunction, and apoptosis. [36] Thus, ROS may play a role in the pathogenesis of several diseases, such as atherosclerosis, [37] cancer, [38] diabetes mellitus, [39] infection, [40] central nervous system disorders, [41] and testicular torsion due to its involvement in lipid peroxidation.…”

Protective effects of exogenous gangliosides on ROS-induced changes in human spermatozoa

“…4,9 Recently, studies have focused on assessing the effectiveness of in vivo and in vitro supplementation with different antioxidants in an attempt to protect spermatozoa exposed to oxidative stress. [10][11][12][13][14] A beneficial effect of the in vitro supplementation of different natural or chemically synthesized antioxidant compounds on human spermatozoa has been observed; however, their effect has also been shown to decrease at inadequate concentrations and, even worse, to behave as pro-oxidants. 11,12,15,16 Herein, we discuss the protective role of exogenous gangliosides against ROS-induced changes based on our studies of human spermatozoa, leukocytes and cell-free systems.…”

Melatonin Ratlarda Alloxan İle İndüklenen Diyabet Sonrası Oluşan Testiküler Hasarı ve Oksidatif Etkileri Hafifletir

“…Our study suggest that the DM might reduce the cholesterol levels of the plasma membrane because of its increasing effect on the ROS quantity within the cauda epididymis, so it might enhance the number of spermatozoa having undergone the premature AR. Lombardo et al [56] noted that the reduction in ROS concentration by using antioxidants exerts adverse effect on male fertility. Some studies indicated that when antioxidants are used in oral pills and/or added directly into ejaculated spermatozoa, the rate of spermatozoa having undergone the AR increases [57,58] .…”