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Human Reproduction Update Advance Access originally published online on February 14, 2008
Human Reproduction Update 2008 14(3):243-258; doi:10.1093/humupd/dmn004
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© The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org
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Oxidative stress and male infertility—a clinical perspective

Kelton Tremellen1,2,3

1 Repromed, 180 Fullarton Road, Dulwich, 5065 Adelaide, South Australia, Australia 2 Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

3 Correspondence address. Tel: +618-83338111; Fax: +618-83338188; E-mail: kelton.tremellen{at}adelaide.edu.au

Oxidative stress occurs when the production of potentially destructive reactive oxygen species (ROS) exceeds the bodies own natural antioxidant defenses, resulting in cellular damage. Oxidative stress is a common pathology seen in approximately half of all infertile men. ROS, defined as including oxygen ions, free radicals and peroxides are generated by sperm and seminal leukocytes within semen and produce infertility by two key mechanisms. First, they damage the sperm membrane, decreasing sperm motility and its ability to fuse with the oocyte. Second, ROS can alter the sperm DNA, resulting in the passage of defective paternal DNA on to the conceptus. This review will provide an overview of oxidative biochemistry related to sperm health and will identify which men are most at risk of oxidative infertility. Finally, the review will outline methods available for diagnosing oxidative stress and the various treatments available.

Key words: oxidative stress / sperm / male infertility / antioxidant / treatment options

Received on November 5, 2007; revised December 12, 2007; accepted on January 16, 2008


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