Mechanism, measurement, and prevention of oxidative stress in male reproductive physiology.
Numerous factors influence male fertility. Among these factors is oxidative stress (OS), which has elicited an enormous interest in researchers in recent period. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are continuously produced by various metabolic and physiologic processes. OS occurs when the delicate balance between the production of ROS and the inherent antioxidant capacity of the organism is distorted. Spermatozoa are particularly sensitive to ROS as their plasma membrane contains polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which oxidizes easily. They also lack cytoplasm to generate a robust preventive and repair mechanism against ROS. The transition metal ions that are found in the body have a catalytic effect in the generation of ROS. Lifestyle behaviours such as smoking and alcohol use and environmental pollution further enhance the generation of ROS and thus, cause destructive effects on various cellular organelles like mitochondria, sperm DNA etc. This article analyzes the detrimental effects of OS on male fertility, measurement of OS and effective ways to decrease or eliminate them completely. We have also provided information on oxidative stress in other systems of the body, which may be applied to future research in the field of reproductive biology.
Agarwal
Ashok
A
Center for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction, Infertility, and Sexual Function, Glickman Urological Institute, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, 44195, USA. Agarwaa@ccf.org
Prabakaran
Sushil A
SA
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000473:pathology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium / Q000494:pharmacology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism; D012907:Smoking; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000737:chemistry
D000975:Antioxidants; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium; D045304:Cytochromes c; D004247:DNA