Oxidative stress and the use of antioxidants for idiopathic OATs

Abstract

Aim: To examine the effects of ROS and OS on male fertility and to evaluate the use of antioxidants as a means of treatment to improve fertilization rates in subfertile males suffering from idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (iOAT). Methods: Review of PubMed database. Results: Current research notes ROS-associated male factor infertility to be the most common potential etiology of impaired sperm quality. The various effects of these oxidants may be neutralized by antioxidants. Although antioxidant therapy has shown to potentially treat iOAT by improving semen parameters, its success remains limited. Our review calls for a deeper look and understanding of the type(s), dosage, and duration of antioxidant treatment used in order to apply its use in a clinical setting.