Unravelling the epigenetic impact: Oxidative stress and its role in male infertility-associated sperm dysfunction

Micronutrient Antioxidants for Men (Menevit®) Improve Sperm Function by Reducing Oxidative Stress, Resulting in Improved Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes

“…These findings are important, as immature and morphologically abnormal sperm are considered the main endogenous sources of ROS, potentially leading to reduced sperm genomic integrity [ 57 ]. OS is related to sperm DNA fragmentation, gene mutations, and genetic disorders [ 12 ]. Previously, some researchers reported that OS is associated with infertility problems in males, such as reduced sperm motility, sperm DNA damage, and an increased risk of recurrent miscarriages [ 12 , 58 , 59 ], since excessive OS can have detrimental effects on fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and the genetic health of newborns [ 60 ].…”

“…OS is related to sperm DNA fragmentation, gene mutations, and genetic disorders [ 12 ]. Previously, some researchers reported that OS is associated with infertility problems in males, such as reduced sperm motility, sperm DNA damage, and an increased risk of recurrent miscarriages [ 12 , 58 , 59 ], since excessive OS can have detrimental effects on fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and the genetic health of newborns [ 60 ]. Furthermore, an equilibrium between elevated ROS and diminished antioxidant defenses induces oxidative stress, which negatively alters sperm motility and DNA integrity [ 61 ].…”

“…Oxidative stress induces epigenetic changes in germ cells, altering DNA methylation and histone modifications [ 12 ]. This can impact gene expression, potentially influencing the health of the next generation, as well as self-fertility.…”

“…OS, which results from an imbalance between oxidation (ROS production) and antioxidant levels, is responsible for several detrimental effects, including impaired spermatogenesis, germ and somatic cell apoptosis, oxidative DNA damage, the disruption of gene expression and post-transcriptional gene regulation, and ATP depletion [ 10 , 11 ]. As a result, spermatozoa are functionally impaired, including insufficient phosphorylation of the sperm tail axoneme, lipid peroxidation, and decreased motility and viability [ 12 ].…”

Oxidative Stress-Associated Male Infertility: Current Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches

“…Sperm are especially vulnerable to oxidative damage during spermiogenesis and storage in the epididymis, as they lack protection from antioxidant-rich seminal plasma [ 63 ]. Furthermore, OS in male germ cells is associated with damage to the nuclear and mitochondrial genome as well as the epigenome [ 64 ]. Telomeres, hexameric guanine-rich repeats, are highly susceptible to free-radical attack, leading to the generation of mutagenic 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanine adducts and DNA breaks [ 65 , 66 , 67 ].…”