Antioxidants and Male Fertility: From Molecular Studies to Clinical Evidence
Spermatozoa are physiologically exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a pivotal role on several sperm functions through activation of different intracellular mechanisms involved in physiological functions such as sperm capacitation associated-events. However, ROS overproduction depletes...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-04-01
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| Series: | Antioxidants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/8/4/89 |
| _version_ | 1797707740367290368 |
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| author | David Martin-Hidalgo Maria Julia Bragado Ana R. Batista Pedro F. Oliveira Marco G. Alves |
| author_facet | David Martin-Hidalgo Maria Julia Bragado Ana R. Batista Pedro F. Oliveira Marco G. Alves |
| author_sort | David Martin-Hidalgo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Spermatozoa are physiologically exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a pivotal role on several sperm functions through activation of different intracellular mechanisms involved in physiological functions such as sperm capacitation associated-events. However, ROS overproduction depletes sperm antioxidant system, which leads to a condition of oxidative stress (OS). Subfertile and infertile men are known to present higher amount of ROS in the reproductive tract which causes sperm DNA damage and results in lower fertility and pregnancy rates. Thus, there is a growing number of couples seeking fertility treatment and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) due to OS-related problems in the male partner. Interestingly, although ART can be successfully used, it is also related with an increase in ROS production. This has led to a debate if antioxidants should be proposed as part of a fertility treatment in an attempt to decrease non-physiological elevated levels of ROS. However, the rationale behind oral antioxidants intake and positive effects on male reproduction outcome is only supported by few studies. In addition, it is unclear whether negative effects may arise from oral antioxidants intake. Although there are some contrasting reports, oral consumption of compounds with antioxidant activity appears to improve sperm parameters, such as motility and concentration, and decrease DNA damage, but there is not sufficient evidence that fertility rates and live birth really improve after antioxidants intake. Moreover, it depends on the type of antioxidants, treatment duration, and even the diagnostics of the man’s fertility, among other factors. Literature also suggests that the main advantage of antioxidant therapy is to extend sperm preservation to be used during ART. Herein, we discuss ROS production and its relevance in male fertility and antioxidant therapy with focus on molecular mechanisms and clinical evidence. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T06:10:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a400ce6de13e4dcb9eb044d00497a920 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3921 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T06:10:53Z |
| publishDate | 2019-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antioxidants |
| spelling | doaj.art-a400ce6de13e4dcb9eb044d00497a9202023-09-03T03:03:12ZengMDPI AGAntioxidants2076-39212019-04-01848910.3390/antiox8040089antiox8040089Antioxidants and Male Fertility: From Molecular Studies to Clinical EvidenceDavid Martin-Hidalgo0Maria Julia Bragado1Ana R. Batista2Pedro F. Oliveira3Marco G. Alves4Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Microscopy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, PortugalResearch Group of Intracellular Signaling and Technology of Reproduction (SINTREP), Institute of Biotechnology in Agriculture and Livestock (INBIO G+C), University of Extremadura, 10004 Cáceres, SpainMerck S.A., 1495-190 Algés, PortugalUnit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Microscopy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, PortugalResearch Group of Intracellular Signaling and Technology of Reproduction (SINTREP), Institute of Biotechnology in Agriculture and Livestock (INBIO G+C), University of Extremadura, 10004 Cáceres, SpainSpermatozoa are physiologically exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a pivotal role on several sperm functions through activation of different intracellular mechanisms involved in physiological functions such as sperm capacitation associated-events. However, ROS overproduction depletes sperm antioxidant system, which leads to a condition of oxidative stress (OS). Subfertile and infertile men are known to present higher amount of ROS in the reproductive tract which causes sperm DNA damage and results in lower fertility and pregnancy rates. Thus, there is a growing number of couples seeking fertility treatment and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) due to OS-related problems in the male partner. Interestingly, although ART can be successfully used, it is also related with an increase in ROS production. This has led to a debate if antioxidants should be proposed as part of a fertility treatment in an attempt to decrease non-physiological elevated levels of ROS. However, the rationale behind oral antioxidants intake and positive effects on male reproduction outcome is only supported by few studies. In addition, it is unclear whether negative effects may arise from oral antioxidants intake. Although there are some contrasting reports, oral consumption of compounds with antioxidant activity appears to improve sperm parameters, such as motility and concentration, and decrease DNA damage, but there is not sufficient evidence that fertility rates and live birth really improve after antioxidants intake. Moreover, it depends on the type of antioxidants, treatment duration, and even the diagnostics of the man’s fertility, among other factors. Literature also suggests that the main advantage of antioxidant therapy is to extend sperm preservation to be used during ART. Herein, we discuss ROS production and its relevance in male fertility and antioxidant therapy with focus on molecular mechanisms and clinical evidence.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/8/4/89assisted reproductive technologiessperm ROSpregnancyinfertilityantioxidants therapyreproductive outcome |
| spellingShingle | David Martin-Hidalgo Maria Julia Bragado Ana R. Batista Pedro F. Oliveira Marco G. Alves Antioxidants and Male Fertility: From Molecular Studies to Clinical Evidence Antioxidants assisted reproductive technologies sperm ROS pregnancy infertility antioxidants therapy reproductive outcome |
| title | Antioxidants and Male Fertility: From Molecular Studies to Clinical Evidence |
| title_full | Antioxidants and Male Fertility: From Molecular Studies to Clinical Evidence |
| title_fullStr | Antioxidants and Male Fertility: From Molecular Studies to Clinical Evidence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Antioxidants and Male Fertility: From Molecular Studies to Clinical Evidence |
| title_short | Antioxidants and Male Fertility: From Molecular Studies to Clinical Evidence |
| title_sort | antioxidants and male fertility from molecular studies to clinical evidence |
| topic | assisted reproductive technologies sperm ROS pregnancy infertility antioxidants therapy reproductive outcome |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/8/4/89 |
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