Antioxidant Properties of Polyphenols and Their Potential Use in Improvement of Male Fertility: A Review

Abstract

Recent studies have investigated the use of plant bioactive substances, such as polyphenols, as antioxidants in assisted reproduction technologies. Semen cryopreservation is a technique that can affect sperm quality. Indeed, cryopreservation of human semen produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may cause damage in sperm cells. Antioxidants have been used in a number of studies to counter oxidative stress, both as dietary supplements and as components of culture media for in vitro experiments. Quercetin, catechin and resveratrol are three polyphenols produced by plants that exhibit antioxidant properties. Research has shown that these three compounds have the ability to increase antioxidant activity in human or animal semen. The studies reported in this review show positive and negative effects of the polyphenols, especially at high doses. More research is required to understand the cellular mechanisms involved in antioxidant activity and to examine the dose-dependent effects of polyphenols in semen cryopreservation.