In Vitro Studies of Antioxidants for Male Reproductive Health

Abstract

The rationale for using antioxidants during in vitro sperm processing stems from the inherent capacity of human spermatozoa to generate reactive oxygen species (oxidants) and from the susceptibility of these cells to oxidative stress. During semen processing, spermatozoa are particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress because the antioxidant-rich seminal plasma has been removed in the process. The clinical importance of seminal oxidative stress and the ensuing sperm DNA damage is that these conditions have been associated with poor in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes. The available data suggest a beneficial effect of in vitro antioxidants in protecting spermatozoa from exogenous oxidants and cryopreservation (with subsequent thawing). In contrast, the effect of these antioxidants in protecting normal spermatozoa from endogenous ROS and gentle sperm processing has not been established conclusively. Additional studies are needed to determine the optimal antioxidant preparation to protect spermatozoa from oxidative stress in vitro.