Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Oxidative Stress and Male Infertility: A Clinical Perspective

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Studies on Men's Health and Fertility

Abstract

Studies have now conclusively linked impaired sperm function with reactive oxygen species attack on sperm—a process more commonly referred to as “oxidative stress”. While research studies suggest that up to 80% of infertile men have evidence of oxidative stress, the majority of fertility specialists do not test their patients for oxidative stress, nor offer empirical antioxidant treatment. This is primarily due to a lack of availability of oxidative stress testing in the majority of clinical andrology laboratories, and a general ignorance of the importance of oxidative stress as a cause of male infertility amongst treating physicians. The first aim of this chapter is to outline the causes of oxidative stress so that they may be identified by simple history and examination. Sentinel signs of oxidative stress seen on routine semen analysis are then reviewed, together with a discussion of the benefits and pitfalls of direct testing for sperm oxidative stress. Finally, the management of sperm oxidative stress is outlined, including improvements in lifestyle, better management of underlying chronic illness, antioxidant medical therapy and surgical approaches to oxidative stress.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Iwasaki A, Gagnon C. Formation of reactive oxygen species in spermatozoa of infertile patients. Fertil Steril. 1992;57:409–16.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Zini A, de Lamirande E, Gagnon C. Reactive oxygen species in semen of infertile patients: levels of superoxide dismutase- and catalase-like activities in seminal plasma and spermatozoa. Int J Androl. 1993;16:183–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Ochsendorf FR, Thiele J, Fuchs J, Schuttau H, Freisleben HJ, Buslau M, Milbradt R. Chemiluminescence in semen of infertile men. Andrologia. 1994;26:289–93.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Shekarriz M, Thomas Jr AJ, Agarwal A. Incidence and level of seminal reactive oxygen species in normal men. Urology. 1995;45:103–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Agarwal A, Sharma RK, Nallella KP, Thomas Jr AJ, Alvarez JG, Sikka SC. Reactive oxygen species as an independent marker of male factor infertility. Fertil Steril. 2006;86:878–85.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Tremellen K. Oxidative stress and male infertility—a clinical perspective. Hum Reprod Update. 2008;14(3):243–58.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Aitken RJ, Baker MA, Sawyer D. Oxidative stress in the male germ line and its role in the aetiology of male infertility and genetic disease. Reprod Biomed Online. 2003;7:65–70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Aitken RJ, Baker MA, O’Bryan M. Shedding light on chemiluminescence: the application of chemiluminescence in diagnostic andrology. J Androl. 2004;25:455–65.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Tunc O, Thompson J, Tremellen K. Development of the NBT assay as a marker of sperm oxidative stress. Int J Androl. 2010;33(1):13–21.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Xu DX, Shen HM, Zhu QX, Chua L, Wang QN, Chia SE, Ong CN. The associations among semen quality, oxidative DNA damage in human spermatozoa and concentrations of cadmium, lead and selenium in seminal plasma. Mutat Res. 2003;534:155–63.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Naha N, Chowdhury AR. Inorganic lead exposure in battery and paint factory: effect on human sperm structure and functional activity. J UOEH. 2006;28:157–71.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Gennart JP, Buchet JP, Roels H, Ghyselen P, Ceulemans E, Lauwerys R. Fertility of male workers exposed to cadmium, lead, or manganese. Am J Epidemiol. 1992;135:1208–19.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Bonde JP. The risk of male subfecundity attributable to welding of metals. Studies of semen quality, infertility, fertility, adverse pregnancy outcome and childhood malignancy. Int J Androl. 1993;16 Suppl 1:1–29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Chitra KC, Sujatha R, Latchoumycandane C, Mathur PP. Effect of lindane on antioxidant enzymes in epididymis and epididymal sperm of adult rats. Asian J Androl. 2001;3:205–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Latchoumycandane C, Mathur PP. Induction of oxidative stress in the rat testis after short-term exposure to the organochlorine pesticide methoxychlor. Arch Toxicol. 2002;76:692–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Latchoumycandane C, Chitra KC, Mathur PP. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induces oxidative stress in the epididymis and epididymal sperm of adult rats. Arch Toxicol. 2003;77:280–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Meng Z, Bai W. Oxidation damage of sulfur dioxide on testicles of mice. Environ Res. 2004;96:298–304.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Gonzalez-Flecha B. Oxidant mechanisms in response to ambient air particles. Mol Aspects Med. 2004;25:169–82.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Alaghmand M, Blough NV. Source-dependent variation in hydroxyl radical production by airborne particulate matter. Environ Sci Technol. 2007;41:2364–70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Rubes J, Selevan SG, Evenson DP, Zudova D, Vozdova M, Zudova Z, Robbins WA, Perreault SD. Episodic air pollution is associated with increased DNA fragmentation in human sperm without other changes in semen quality. Hum Reprod. 2005;20:2776–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Agarwal DK, Maronpot RR, Lamb JCT, Kluwe WM. Adverse effects of butyl benzyl phthalate on the reproductive and hematopoietic systems of male rats. Toxicology. 1985;35:189–206.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Srivastava SP, Srivastava S, Saxena DK, Chandra SV, Seth PK. Testicular effects of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP): biochemical and histopathological alterations. Arch Toxicol. 1990;64:148–52.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Kasahara E, Sato EF, Miyoshi M, Konaka R, Hiramoto K, Sasaki J, Tokuda M, Nakano Y, Inoue M. Role of oxidative stress in germ cell apoptosis induced by di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate. Biochem J. 2002;365:849–56.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Hauser R, Meeker JD, Singh NP, Silva MJ, Ryan L, Duty S, Calafat AM. DNA damage in human sperm is related to urinary levels of phthalate monoester and oxidative metabolites. Hum Reprod. 2007;22:688–95.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Lee E, Ahn MY, Kim HJ, Kim IY, Han SY, Kang TS, Hong JH, Park KL, Lee BM, Kim HS. Effect of di(n-butyl) phthalate on testicular oxidative damage and antioxidant enzymes in hyperthyroid rats. Environ Toxicol. 2007;22:245–55.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Agbaje IM, Rogers DA, McVicar CM, McClure N, Atkinson AB, Mallidis C, Lewis SE. Insulin dependant diabetes mellitus: implications for male reproductive function. Hum Reprod. 2007;22:1871–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Agbaje IM, McVicar CM, Schock BC, McClure N, Atkinson AB, Rogers D, Lewis SE. Increased concentrations of the oxidative DNA adduct 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2-deoxyguanosine in the germ-line of men with type 1 diabetes. Reprod Biomed Online. 2008;16(3):401–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Shrilatha B, Muralidhara DR. Occurrence of oxidative impairments, response of antioxidant defences and associated biochemical perturbations in male reproductive milieu in the streptozotocin-diabetic rat. Int J Androl. 2007;30(6):508–18.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Khaki A, Fathiazad F, Nouri M, Khaki A, Maleki NA, Khamnei HJ, Ahmadi P. Beneficial effects of quercetin on sperm parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats. Phytother Res. 2010;24(9):1285–91.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Erdamar H, Demirci H, Yaman H, Erbil MK, Yakar T, Sancak B, Elbeg S, Biberoğlu G, Yetkin I. The effect of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and their treatment on parameters of oxidative stress and antioxidant status. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2008;46(7):1004–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Torun AN, Kulaksizoglu S, Kulaksizoglu M, Pamuk BO, Isbilen E, Tutuncu NB. Serum total antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde levels in overt and subclinical hypothyroidism. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2009;70(3):469–74.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Santi A, Duarte MM, Moresco RN, Menezes C, Bagatini MD, Schetinger MR, Loro VL. Association between thyroid hormones, lipids and oxidative stress biomarkers in overt hypothyroidism. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2010;48(11):1635–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Chattopadhyay S, Choudhury S, Roy A, Chainy GB, Samanta L. T3 fails to restore mitochondrial thiol redox status altered by experimental hypothyroidism in rat testis. Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2010;169(1):39–47.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Sakr SA, Mahran HA, Nofal AE. Effect of selenium on carbimazole-induced testicular damage and oxidative stress in albino rats. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2011;25(1):59–66.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Mancini A, Festa R, Silvestrini A, Nicolotti N, Di Donna V, La Torre G, Pontecorvi A, Meucci E. Hormonal regulation of total antioxidant capacity in seminal plasma. J Androl. 2009;30(5):534–40.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Moreira Jr ED, Lbo CF, Diament A, Nicolosi A, Glasser DB. Incidence of erectile dysfunction in men 40 to 69 years old: results from a population-based cohort study in Brazil. Urology. 2003;61(2):431–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Jones RW, Rees RW, Minhas S, Ralph D, Persad RA, Jeremy JY. Oxygen free radicals and the penis. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2002;3(7):889–97.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Meldrum DR, Gambone JC, Morris MA, Ignarro LJ. A multifaceted approach to maximize erectile function and vascular health. Fertil Steril. 2010;94(7):2514–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Azadzoi KM, Schulman RN, Aviram M, Siroky MB. Oxidative stress in arteriogenic erectile dysfunction: prophylactic role of antioxidants. J Urol. 2005;174(1):386–93.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Stanislavov R, Nikolova V, Rohdewald P. Improvement of erectile function with Prelox: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Int J Impot Res. 2008;20(2):173–80.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Zhang Q, Radisavljevic ZM, Siroky MB, Azadzoi KM. Dietary antioxidants improve arteriogenic erectile dysfunction. Int J Androl. 2011;34(3):225–35.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Eskiocak S, Gozen AS, Taskiran A, Kilic AS, Eskiocak M, Gulen S. Effect of psychological stress on the l-arginine-nitric oxide pathway and semen quality. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2006;39:581–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Eskiocak S, Gozen AS, Yapar SB, Tavas F, Kilic AS, Eskiocak M. Glutathione and free sulphydryl content of seminal plasma in healthy medical students during and after exam stress. Hum Reprod. 2005;20:2595–600.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Potts RJ, Notarianni LJ, Jefferies TM. Seminal plasma reduces exogenous oxidative damage to human sperm, determined by the measurement of DNA strand breaks and lipid peroxidation. Mutat Res. 2000;447:249–56.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Watson PF. The causes of reduced fertility with cryopreserved semen. Anim Reprod Sci. 2000;60–61:481–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Thomson LK, Fleming SD, Aitken RJ, De Iuliis GN, Zieschang JA, Clark AM. Cryopreservation-induced human sperm DNA damage is predominantly mediated by oxidative stress rather than apoptosis. Hum Reprod. 2009;24(9):2061–70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Agarwal A, Said TM. Oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis in male infertility: a clinical approach. BJU Int. 2005;95:503–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Corona G, Ricca V, Bandini E, Mannucci E, Lotti F, Boddi V, Rastrelli G, Sforza A, Faravelli C, Forti G, Maggi M. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-induced sexual dysfunction. J Sex Med. 2009;6(5):1259–69.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Tanrikut C, Feldman AS, Altemus M, Paduch DA, Schlegel PN. Adverse effect of paroxetine on sperm. Fertil Steril. 2010;94(3):1021–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Schaeffer AJ. Epidemiology and demographics of prostatitis. Andrologia. 2003;35:252–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Fraczek M, Kurpisz M. Inflammatory mediators exert toxic effects of oxidative stress on human spermatozoa. J Androl. 2007;28:325–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Mazzilli F, Rossi T, Marchesini M, Ronconi C, Dondero F. Superoxide anion in human semen related to seminal parameters and clinical aspects. Fertil Steril. 1994;62:862–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Depuydt CE, Bosmans E, Zalata A, Schoonjans F, Comhaire FH. The relation between reactive oxygen species and cytokines in andrological patients with or without male accessory gland infection. J Androl. 1996;17:699–707.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Ochsendorf FR. Infections in the male genital tract and reactive oxygen species. Hum Reprod Update. 1999;5:399–420.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Potts JM, Sharma R, Pasqualotto F, Nelson D, Hall G, Agarwal A. Association of Ureaplasma urealyticum with abnormal reactive oxygen species levels and absence of leukocytospermia. J Urol. 2000;163:1775–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Padron OF, Brackett NL, Sharma RK, Lynne CM, Thomas Jr AJ, Agarwal A. Seminal reactive oxygen species and sperm motility and morphology in men with spinal cord injury. Fertil Steril. 1997;67:1115–20.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Brackett NL, Cohen DR, Ibrahim E, Aballa TC, Lynne CM. Neutralization of cytokine activity at the receptor level improves sperm motility in men with spinal cord injuries. J Androl. 2007;28(5):717–21.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Segnini A, Camejo MI, Proverbio F. Chlamydia trachomatis and sperm lipid peroxidation in infertile men. Asian J Androl. 2003;5:47–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Kapranos N, Petrakou E, Anastasiadou C, Kotronias D. Detection of herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus in the semen of men attending an infertility clinic. Fertil Steril. 2003;79 Suppl 3:1566–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Bezold G, Politch JA, Kiviat NB, Kuypers JM, Wolff H, Anderson DJ. Prevalence of sexually transmissible pathogens in semen from asymptomatic male infertility patients with and without leukocytospermia. Fertil Steril. 2007;87:1087–97.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Krause W, Herbstreit F, Slenzka W. Are viral infections the cause of leukocytospermia? Andrologia. 2002;34:87–90.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Krause W, Bohring C, Gueth A, Horster S, Krisp A, Skrzypek J. Cellular and biochemical markers in semen indicating male accessory gland inflammation. Andrologia. 2003;35:279–82.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Umapathy E, Simbini T, Chipata T, Mbizvo M. Sperm characteristics and accessory sex gland functions in HIV-infected men. Arch Androl. 2001;46:153–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Seronello S, Sheikh MY, Choi J. Redox regulation of hepatitis C in nonalcoholic and alcoholic liver. Free Radic Biol Med. 2007;43(6):869–82.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Chen J, Siddiqui A. Hepatitis B virus X protein stimulates the mitochondrial translocation of Raf-1 via oxidative stress. J Virol. 2007;81:6757–60.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Vicari E, Arcoria D, Di Mauro C, Noto R, Noto Z, La Vignera S. Sperm output in patients with primary infertility and hepatitis B or C virus; negative influence of HBV infection during concomitant varicocele. Minerva Med. 2006;97:65–77.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Durazzo M, Premoli A, Di Bisceglie C, Bertagna A, Faga E, Biroli G, Manieri C, Bo S, Pagano G. Alterations of seminal and hormonal parameters: an extrahepatic manifestation of HCV infection? World J Gastroenterol. 2006;12:3073–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Srinivasan S, Pragasam V, Jenita X, Kalaiselvi P, Muthu V, Varalakshmi P. Oxidative stress in urogenital tuberculosis patients: a predisposing factor for renal stone formation—amelioration by vitamin E supplementation. Clin Chim Acta. 2004;350:57–63.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Vijayaraghavan R, Suribabu CS, Sekar B, Oommen PK, Kavithalakshmi SN, Madhusudhanan N, Panneerselvam C. Protective role of vitamin E on the oxidative stress in Hansen’s disease (leprosy) patients. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2005;59:1121–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Guha M, Kumar S, Choubey V, Maity P, Bandyopadhyay U. Apoptosis in liver during malaria: role of oxidative stress and implication of mitochondrial pathway. FASEB J. 2006;20:1224–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Macao LB, Filho DW, Pedrosa RC, Pereira A, Backes P, Torres MA, Frode TS. Antioxidant therapy attenuates oxidative stress in chronic cardiopathy associated with Chagas’ disease. Int J Cardiol. 2007;123(1):43–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Filippini A, Riccioli A, Padula F, Lauretti P, D’Alessio A, De Cesaris P, Gandini L, Lenzi A, Ziparo E. Control and impairment of immune privilege in the testis and in semen. Hum Reprod Update. 2001;7:444–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Sharma RK, Pasqualotto AE, Nelson DR, Thomas Jr AJ, Agarwal A. Relationship between seminal white blood cell counts and oxidative stress in men treated at an infertility clinic. J Androl. 2001;22:575–83.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Nandipati KC, Pasqualotto FF, Thomas Jr AJ, Agarwal A. Relationship of interleukin-6 with semen characteristics and oxidative stress in vasectomy reversal patients. Andrologia. 2005;37:131–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Shahed AR, Shoskes DA. Oxidative stress in prostatic fluid of patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome: correlation with gram positive bacterial growth and treatment response. J Androl. 2000;21:669–75.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Pasqualotto FF, Sharma RK, Potts JM, Nelson DR, Thomas AJ, Agarwal A. Seminal oxidative stress in patients with chronic prostatitis. Urology. 2000;55:881–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Potts JM, Pasqualotto FF. Seminal oxidative stress in patients with chronic prostatitis. Andrologia. 2003;35:304–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Motrich RD, Maccioni M, Molina R, Tissera A, Olmedo J, Riera CM, Rivero VE. Reduced semen quality in chronic prostatitis patients that have cellular autoimmune response to prostate antigens. Hum Reprod. 2005;20:2567–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Motrich RD, Mackern-Oberti JP, Maccioni M, Rivero VE. Effects of autoimmunity to the prostate on the fertility of the male rat. Fertil Steril. 2009;91(5 Suppl):2273–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Oberg BP, McMenamin E, Lucas FL, McMonagle E, Morrow J, Ikizler TA, Himmelfarb J. Increased prevalence of oxidant stress and inflammation in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease. Kidney Int. 2004;65:1009–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Danielski M, Ikizler TA, McMonagle E, Kane JC, Pupim L, Morrow J, Himmelfarb J. Linkage of hypoalbuminemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis therapy. Am J Kidney Dis. 2003;42:286–94.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Pupim LB, Himmelfarb J, McMonagle E, Shyr Y, Ikizler TA. Influence of initiation of maintenance hemodialysis on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Kidney Int. 2004;65:2371–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Moreno JM, Ruiz MC, Ruiz N, Gomez I, Vargas F, Asensio C, Osuna A. Modulation factors of oxidative status in stable renal transplantation. Transplant Proc. 2005;37:1428–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Livrea MA, Tesoriere L, Pintaudi AM, Calabrese A, Maggio A, Freisleben HJ, D’Arpa D, D’Anna R, Bongiorno A. Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in beta-thalassemia major: iron overload and depletion of lipid-soluble antioxidants. Blood. 1996;88:3608–14.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Carpino A, Tarantino P, Rago V, De Sanctis V, Siciliano L. Antioxidant capacity in seminal plasma of transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemic patients. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2004;112:131–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Das UB, Mallick M, Debnath JM, Ghosh D. Protective effect of ascorbic acid on cyclophosphamide-induced testicular gametogenic and androgenic disorders in male rats. Asian J Androl. 2002;4:201–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Ghosh D, Das UB, Misro M. Protective role of alpha-tocopherol-succinate (provitamin-E) in cyclophosphamide induced testicular gametogenic and steroidogenic disorders: a correlative approach to oxidative stress. Free Radic Res. 2002;36:1209–18.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Wolfram RM, Budinsky AC, Palumbo B, Palumbo R, Sinzinger H. Radioiodine therapy induces dose-dependent in vivo oxidation injury: evidence by increased isoprostane 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha). J Nucl Med. 2002;43(9):1254–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Zhao W, Robbins ME. Inflammation and chronic oxidative stress in radiation-induced late normal tissue injury: therapeutic implications. Curr Med Chem. 2009;16(2):130–43.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Little JB. Cellular radiation effects and the bystander response. Mutat Res. 2006;597(1–2):113–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. Yalçin O, Karataş F, Erulaş FA, Ozdemir E. The levels of glutathione peroxidase, vitamin A, E, C and lipid peroxidation in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. BJU Int. 2004;93(6):863–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  92. Sharma M, Rajappa M, Kumar G, Sharma A. Oxidant-antioxidant status in Indian patients with carcinoma of posterior one-third of tongue. Cancer Biomark. 2009;5(6):253–60.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  93. Badjatia N, Satyam A, Singh P, Seth A, Sharma A. Altered antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in Indian patients with urothelial bladder carcinoma. Urol Oncol. 2010;28(4):360–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  94. Engin AB, Karahalil B, Engin A, Karakaya AE. Oxidative stress, Helicobacter pylori, and OGG1 Ser326Cys, XPC Lys939Gln, and XPD Lys751Gln polymorphisms in a Turkish population with colorectal carcinoma. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers. 2010;14(4):559–64.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  95. Said TM, Tellez S, Evenson DP, Del Valle AP. Assessment of sperm quality, DNA integrity and cryopreservation protocols in men diagnosed with testicular and systemic malignancies. Andrologia. 2009;41(6):377–82.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Gomez E, Buckingham DW, Brindle J, Lanzafame F, Irvine DS, Aitken RJ. Development of an image analysis system to monitor the retention of residual cytoplasm by human spermatozoa: correlation with biochemical markers of the cytoplasmic space, oxidative stress, and sperm function. J Androl. 1996;17:276–87.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  97. Said TM, Agarwal A, Sharma RK, Thomas Jr AJ, Sikka SC. Impact of sperm morphology on DNA damage caused by oxidative stress induced by beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. Fertil Steril. 2005;83:95–103.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  98. Koppers AJ, De Iuliis GN, Finnie JM, McLaughlin EA, Aitken RJ. Significance of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in the generation of oxidative stress in spermatozoa. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;93(8):3199–207.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  99. Singer G, Granger DN. Inflammatory responses underlying the microvascular dysfunction associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Microcirculation. 2007;14:375–87.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  100. Tunc O, Bakos HW, Tremellen K. Impact of body mass index on seminal oxidative stress. Andrologia. 2011;43(2):121–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  101. Iyer A, Fairlie DP, Prins JB, Hammock BD, Brown L. Inflammatory lipid mediators in adipocyte function and obesity. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2010;6(2):71–82.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  102. Ishii T, Matsuki S, Iuchi Y, Okada F, Toyosaki S, Tomita Y, Ikeda Y, Fujii J. Accelerated impairment of spermatogenic cells in SOD1-knockout mice under heat stress. Free Radic Res. 2005;39:697–705.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  103. Banks S, King SA, Irvine DS, Saunders PT. Impact of a mild scrotal heat stress on DNA integrity in murine spermatozoa. Reproduction. 2005;129:505–14.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  104. Perez-Crespo M, Pintado B, Gutierrez-Adan A. Scrotal heat stress effects on sperm viability, sperm DNA integrity, and the offspring sex ratio in mice. Mol Reprod Dev. 2007;75:40–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  105. Bakos HW, Mitchell M, Setchell BP, Lane M. The effect of paternal diet-induced obesity on sperm function and fertilization in a mouse model. Int J Androl. 2011;34(5 Pt 1):402–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  106. Eskenazi B, Kidd SA, Marks AR, Sloter E, Block G, Wyrobek AJ. Antioxidant intake is associated with semen quality in healthy men. Hum Reprod. 2005;20:1006–12.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  107. Therond P, Auger J, Legrand A, Jouannet P. alpha-Tocopherol in human spermatozoa and seminal plasma: relationships with motility, antioxidant enzymes and leukocytes. Mol Hum Reprod. 1996;2:739–44.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  108. Fraga CG, Motchnik PA, Shigenaga MK, Helbock HJ, Jacob RA, Ames BN. Ascorbic acid protects against endogenous oxidative DNA damage in human sperm. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1991;88:11003–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  109. Saleh RA, Agarwal A, Sharma RK, Nelson DR, Thomas Jr AJ. Effect of cigarette smoking on levels of seminal oxidative stress in infertile men: a prospective study. Fertil Steril. 2002;78:491–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  110. Fraga CG, Motchnik PA, Wyrobek AJ, Rempel DM, Ames BN. Smoking and low antioxidant levels increase oxidative damage to sperm DNA. Mutat Res. 1996;351:199–203.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  111. Mostafa T, Tawadrous G, Roaia MM, Amer MK, Kader RA, Aziz A. Effect of smoking on seminal plasma ascorbic acid in infertile and fertile males. Andrologia. 2006;38:221–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  112. Koch OR, Pani G, Borrello S, Colavitti R, Cravero A, Farre S, Galeotti T. Oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses in ethanol-induced cell injury. Mol Aspects Med. 2004;25:191–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  113. Maneesh M, Dutta S, Chakrabarti A, Vasudevan DM. Alcohol abuse-duration dependent decrease in plasma testosterone and antioxidants in males. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2006;50:291–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  114. Moritz F, Monteil C, Isabelle M, Bauer F, Renet S, Mulder P, Richard V, Thuillez C. Role of reactive oxygen species in cocaine-induced cardiac dysfunction. Cardiovasc Res. 2003;59(4):834–43.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  115. Song BJ, Moon KH, Upreti VV, Eddington ND, Lee IJ. Mechanisms of MDMA (ecstasy)-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and organ damage. Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2010;11(5):434–43.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  116. Barroso-Moguel R, Méndez-Armenta M, Villeda-Hernández J. Testicular lesions by chronic administration of cocaine in rats. J Appl Toxicol. 1994;14(1):37–41.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  117. Barenys M, Macia N, Camps L, de Lapuente J, Gomez-Catalan J, Gonzalez-Linares J, Borras M, Rodamilans M, Llobet JM. Chronic exposure to MDMA (ecstasy) increases DNA damage in sperm and alters testes histopathology in male rats. Toxicol Lett. 2009;191(1):40–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  118. Hendin BN, Kolettis PN, Sharma RK, Thomas Jr AJ, Agarwal A. Varicocele is associated with elevated spermatozoal reactive oxygen species production and diminished seminal plasma antioxidant capacity. J Urol. 1999;161:1831–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  119. Barbieri ER, Hidalgo ME, Venegas A, Smith R, Lissi EA. Varicocele-associated decrease in antioxidant defenses. J Androl. 1999;20:713–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  120. Saleh RA, Agarwal A, Nada EA, El-Tonsy MH, Sharma RK, Meyer A, Nelson DR, Thomas AJ. Negative effects of increased sperm DNA damage in relation to seminal oxidative stress in men with idiopathic and male factor infertility. Fertil Steril. 2003;79 Suppl 3:1597–605.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  121. Nallella KP, Allamaneni SS, Pasqualotto FF, Sharma RK, Thomas Jr AJ, Agarwal A. Relationship of interleukin-6 with semen characteristics and oxidative stress in patients with varicocele. Urology. 2004;64:1010–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  122. Smith R, Kaune H, Parodi D, Madariaga M, Rios R, Morales I, Castro A. Increased sperm DNA damage in patients with varicocele: relationship with seminal oxidative stress. Hum Reprod. 2006;21:986–93.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  123. Agarwal A, Prabakaran S, Allamaneni SS. Relationship between oxidative stress, varicocele and infertility: a meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online. 2006;12:630–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  124. Smith GR, Kaune GH, Parodi D, Madariaga AM, Morales DI, Rios SR, Castro GA. Extent of sperm DNA damage in spermatozoa from men examined for infertility. Relationship with oxidative stress. Rev Med Chil. 2007;135:279–86.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  125. Ishikawa T, Fujioka H, Ishimura T, Takenaka A, Fujisawa M. Increased testicular 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine in patients with varicocele. BJU Int. 2007;100(4):863–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  126. Shiraishi K, Takihara H, Matsuyama H. Elevated scrotal temperature, but not varicocele grade, reflects testicular oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis. World J Urol. 2010;28(3):359–64.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  127. Moretti E, Cosci I, Spreafico A, Serchi T, Cuppone AM, Collodel G. Semen characteristics and inflammatory mediators in infertile men with different clinical diagnoses. Int J Androl. 2009;32(6):637–46.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  128. Ghabili K, Shoja MM, Agutter PS, Agarwal A. Hypothesis: intracellular acidification contributes to infertility in varicocele. Fertil Steril. 2009;92(1):399–401.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  129. Chen SS, Huang WJ, Chang LS, Wei YH. 8-Hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine in leukocyte DNA of spermatic vein as a biomarker of oxidative stress in patients with varicocele. J Urol. 2004;172:1418–21.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  130. Huff DS, Hadziselimovic F, Snyder III HM, Blyth B, Duckett JW. Early postnatal testicular maldevelopment in cryptorchidism. J Urol. 1991;146:624–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  131. Turner TT, Bang HJ, Lysiak JL. The molecular pathology of experimental testicular torsion suggests adjunct therapy to surgical repair. J Urol. 2004;172:2574–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  132. Filho DW, Torres MA, Bordin AL, Crezcynski-Pasa TB, Boveris A. Spermatic cord torsion, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Mol Aspects Med. 2004;25:199–210.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  133. Kidd SA, Eskenazi B, Wyrobek AJ. Effects of male age on semen quality and fertility: a review of the literature. Fertil Steril. 2001;75(2):237–48.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  134. Junqueira VB, Barros SB, Chan SS, Rodrigues L, Giavarotti L, Abud RL, Deucher P. Aging and oxidative stress. Mol Aspects Med. 2004;25:5–16.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  135. Cocuzza M, Athayde KS, Agarwal A, Sharma R, Pagani R, Lucon AM, Srougi M, Hallak J. Age-related increase of reactive oxygen species in neat semen in healthy fertile men. Urology. 2008;71(3):490–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  136. Zubkova EV, Wade M, Robaire B. Changes in spermatozoal chromatin packaging and susceptibility to oxidative challenge during aging. Fertil Steril. 2005;84 Suppl 2:1191–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  137. Weir CP, Robaire B. Spermatozoa have decreased antioxidant enzymatic capacity and increased reactive oxygen species production during aging in the Brown Norway rat. J Androl. 2007;28L:229–40.

    Google Scholar 

  138. Wyrobek AJ, Eskenazi B, Young S, Arnheim N, Tiemann-Boege I, Jabs EW, Glaser RL, Pearson FS, Evenson D. Advancing age has differential effects on DNA damage, chromatin integrity, gene mutations, and aneuploidies in sperm. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2006;103:9601–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  139. Singh NP, Muller CH, Berger RE. Effects of age on DNA double-strand breaks and apoptosis in human sperm. Fertil Steril. 2003;80:1420–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  140. Moskovtsev SI, Willis J, Mullen JB. Age-related decline in sperm deoxyribonucleic acid integrity in patients evaluated for male infertility. Fertil Steril. 2006;85:496–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  141. Makker K, Varghese A, Desai NR, Mouradi R, Agarwal A. Cell phones: modern man’s nemesis? Reprod Biomed Online. 2009;18(1):148–57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  142. De Iuliis GN, Newey RJ, King BV, Aitken RJ. Mobile phone radiation induces reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in human spermatozoa in vitro. PLoS One. 2009;4(7):e6446.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  143. Garaj-Vrhovac V, Gajski G, Pažanin S, Sarolić A, Domijan AM, Flajs D, Peraica M. Assessment of cytogenetic damage and oxidative stress in personnel occupationally exposed to the pulsed microwave radiation of marine radar equipment. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2011;214(1):59–65.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  144. Weyandt TB, Schrader SM, Turner TW, Simon SD. Semen analysis of military personnel associated with military duty assignments. Reprod Toxicol. 1996;10(6):521–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  145. Engin AB, Ergun MA, Yurtcu E, Kan D, Sahin G. Effect of ionizing radiation on the pteridine metabolic pathway and evaluation of its cytotoxicity in exposed hospital staff. Mutat Res. 2005;585(1–2):184–92.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  146. Bartoov B, Zabludovsky N, Eltes F, Smirnov VV, Grischenko VI VI, Fischbein A. Semen quality of workers exposed to ionizing radiation in decontamination work after the chernobyl nuclear reactor accident. Int J Occup Environ Health. 1997;3(3):198–203.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  147. Alberti KG, Eckel RH, Grundy SM, Zimmet PZ, Cleeman JI, Donato KA, Fruchart JC, James WP, Loria CM, Smith Jr SC. Harmonizing the metabolic syndrome: a joint interim statement of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; American Heart Association; World Heart Federation; International Atherosclerosis Society; and International Association for the Study of Obesity. Circulation. 2009;120(16):1640–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  148. Kort HI, Massey JB, Elsner CW, Mitchell-Leef D, Shapiro DB, Witt MA, Roudebush WE. Impact of body mass index values on sperm quantity and quality. J Androl. 2006;27(3):450–2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  149. Chavarro JE, Toth TL, Wright DL, Meeker JD, Hauser R. Body mass index in relation to semen quality, sperm DNA integrity, and serum reproductive hormone levels among men attending an infertility clinic. Fertil Steril. 2010;93(7):2222–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  150. Raman JD, Nobert CF, Goldstein M. Increased incidence of testicular cancer in men presenting with infertility and abnormal semen analysis. J Urol. 2005;174(5):1819–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  151. World Health Organization. Laboratory manual for the examination of human semen and sperm-cervical mucous interaction. 5th ed. New York: Cambridge University Press; 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  152. Aydemir B, Onaran I, Kiziler AR, Alici B, Akyolcu MC. The influence of oxidative damage on viscosity of seminal fluid in infertile men. J Androl. 2008;29(1):41–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  153. Siciliano L, Tarantino P, Longobardi F, Rago V, De Stefano C, Carpino A. Impaired seminal antioxidant capacity in human semen with hyperviscosity or oligoasthenozoospermia. J Androl. 2001;22:798–803.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  154. Wang Y, Liang CL, Wu JQ, Xu C, Qin SX, Gao ES. Do Ureaplasma urealyticum infections in the genital tract affect semen quality? Asian J Androl. 2006;8:562–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  155. Zorn B, Sesek-Briski A, Osredkar J, Meden-Vrtovec H. Semen polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocyte elastase as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of genital tract inflammation—a review. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2003;41:2–12.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  156. Kopa Z, Wenzel J, Papp GK, Haidl G. Role of granulocyte elastase and interleukin-6 in the diagnosis of male genital tract inflammation. Andrologia. 2005;37:188–94.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  157. Dandekar SP, Nadkarni GD, Kulkarni VS, Punekar S. Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in male infertility. J Postgrad Med. 2002;48:186–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  158. Tremellen K, Tunc O. Macrophage activity in semen is significantly correlated with sperm quality in infertile men. Int J Androl. 2010;33(6):823–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  159. Esposito K, Di Palo C, Maiorino MI, Petrizzo M, Bellastella G, Siniscalchi I, Giugliano D. Long-term effect of Mediterranean-style diet and calorie restriction on biomarkers of longevity and oxidative stress in overweight men. Cardiol Res Pract. 2010;2011:293916.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  160. Powers SK, Nelson WB, Hudson MB. Exercise-induced oxidative stress in humans: cause and consequences. Free Radic Biol Med. 2011;51(5):942–50.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  161. Paul C, Teng S, Saunders PT. A single, mild, transient scrotal heat stress causes hypoxia and oxidative stress in mouse testes, which induces germ cell death. Biol Reprod. 2009;80(5):913–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  162. Mostafa T, Anis TH, El-Nashar A, Imam H, Othman IA. Varicocelectomy reduces reactive oxygen species levels and increases antioxidant activity of seminal plasma from infertile men with varicocele. Int J Androl. 2001;24:261–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  163. Zini A, Blumenfeld A, Libman J, Willis J. Beneficial effect of microsurgical varicocelectomy on human sperm DNA integrity. Hum Reprod. 2005;20:1018–21.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  164. Hurtado de Catalfo GE, Ranieri-Casilla A, Marra FA, de Alaniz MJ, Marra CA. Oxidative stress biomarkers and hormonal profile in human patients undergoing varicocelectomy. Int J Androl. 2007;30(6):519–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  165. Werthman P, Wixon R, Kasperson K, Evenson DP. Significant decrease in sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation after varicocelectomy. Fertil Steril. 2008;90(5):1800–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  166. Chen SS, Huang WJ, Chang LS, Wei YH. Attenuation of oxidative stress after varicocelectomy in subfertile patients with varicocele. J Urol. 2008;179(2):639–42.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  167. Sakamoto Y, Ishikawa T, Kondo Y, Yamaguchi K, Fujisawa M. The assessment of oxidative stress in infertile patients with varicocele. BJU Int. 2008;101(12):1547–52.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  168. Omu AE, al-Othman S, Mohamad AS, al-Kaluwby NM, Fernandes S. Antibiotic therapy for seminal infection. Effect on antioxidant activity and T-helper cytokines. J Reprod Med. 1998;43:857–64.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  169. Vicari E. Effectiveness and limits of antimicrobial treatment on seminal leukocyte concentration and related reactive oxygen species production in patients with male accessory gland infection. Hum Reprod. 2000;15:2536–44.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  170. Vicari E, La Vignera S, Calogero AE. Antioxidant treatment with carnitines is effective in infertile patients with prostatovesiculoepididymitis and elevated seminal leukocyte concentrations after treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds. Fertil Steril. 2002;78:1203–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  171. Gambera L, Serafini F, Morgante G, Focarelli R, De Leo V, Piomboni P. Sperm quality and pregnancy rate after COX-2 inhibitor therapy of infertile males with abacterial leukocytospermia. Hum Reprod. 2007;22(4):1047–51.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  172. O’Connell M, McClure N, Lewis SE. Mitochondrial DNA deletions and nuclear DNA fragmentation in testicular and epididymal human sperm. Hum Reprod. 2002;17:1565–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  173. Greco E, Scarselli F, Iacobelli M, Rienzi L, Ubaldi F, Ferrero S, Franco G, Anniballo N, Mendoza C, Tesarik J. Efficient treatment of infertility due to sperm DNA damage by ICSI with testicular spermatozoa. Hum Reprod. 2005;20:226–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  174. Moskovtsev SI, Jarvi K, Mullen JB, Cadesky KI, Hannam T, Lo KC. Testicular spermatozoa have statistically significantly lower DNA damage compared with ejaculated spermatozoa in patients with unsuccessful oral antioxidant treatment. Fertil Steril. 2010;93(4):1142–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  175. Zini A, San Gabriel M, Libman J. Lycopene supplementation in vitro can protect human sperm deoxyribonucleic acid from oxidative damage. Fertil Steril. 2010;94(3):1033–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  176. Griveau JF, Le Lannou D. Influence of oxygen tension on reactive oxygen species production and human sperm function. Int J Androl. 1997;20:195–200.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  177. Dalzell LH, McVicar CM, McClure N, Lutton D, Lewis SE. Effects of short and long incubations on DNA fragmentation of testicular sperm. Fertil Steril. 2004;82(5):1443–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  178. Showell MG, Brown J, Yazdani A, Stankiewicz MT, Hart RJ. Antioxidants for male subfertility. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(1):CD007411.

    Google Scholar 

  179. National Academy of Sciences (USA). Dietary reference intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein and amino acids. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences (USA); 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  180. Miller III ER, Pastor-Barriuso R, Dalal D, Riemersma RA, Appel LJ, Guallar E. Meta-analysis: high-dosage vitamin E supplementation may increase all-cause mortality. Ann Intern Med. 2005;142(1):37–46.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  181. Jacob RA, Pianalto FS, Agee RE. Cellular ascorbate depletion in healthy men. J Nutr. 1992;122(5):1111–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  182. Wayner DD, Burton GW, Ingold KU. The antioxidant efficiency of vitamin C is concentration-dependent. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1986;884(1):119–23.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  183. Suleiman SA, Ali ME, Zaki ZM, El-Malik EM, Nasr MA. Lipid peroxidation and human sperm motility: protective role of vitamin E. J Androl. 1996;17(5):530–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  184. Kessopoulou E, Powers HJ, Sharma KK, Pearson MJ, Russell JM, Cooke ID, Barratt CL. A double-blind randomized placebo cross-over controlled trial using the antioxidant vitamin E to treat reactive oxygen species associated male infertility. Fertil Steril. 1995;64(4):825–31.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  185. Dawson EB, Harris WA, Rankin WE, Charpentier LA, McGanity WJ. Effect of ascorbic acid on male fertility. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1987;498:312–23.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  186. Rolf C, Cooper TG, Yeung CH, Nieschlag E. Antioxidant treatment of patients with asthenozoospermia or moderate oligoasthenozoospermia with high-dose vitamin C and vitamin E: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Hum Reprod. 1999;14(4):1028–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  187. Greco E, Iacobelli M, Rienzi L, Ubaldi F, Ferrero S, Tesarik J. Reduction of the incidence of sperm DNA fragmentation by oral antioxidant treatment. J Androl. 2005;26(3):349–53.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  188. Omu AE, Al-Azemi MK, Kehinde EO, Anim JT, Oriowo MA, Mathew TC. Indications of the mechanisms involved in improved sperm parameters by zinc therapy. Med Princ Pract. 2008;17(2):108–16.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  189. Safarinejad MR. Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 on semen parameters, sperm function and reproductive hormones in infertile men. J Urol. 2009;182(1):237–48.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  190. Scott R, MacPherson A, Yates RW, Hussain B, Dixon J. The effect of oral selenium supplementation on human sperm motility. Br J Urol. 1998;82(1):76–80.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  191. Safarinejad MR, Safarinejad S. Efficacy of selenium and/or N-acetyl-cysteine for improving semen parameters in infertile men: a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized study. J Urol. 2009;181(2):741–51.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  192. Lenzi A, Culasso F, Gandini L, Lombardo F, Dondero F. Placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial of glutathione therapy in male infertility. Hum Reprod. 1993;8(10):1657–62.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  193. Lenzi A, Lombardo F, Sgrò P, Salacone P, Caponecchia L, Dondero F, Gandini L. Use of carnitine therapy in selected cases of male factor infertility: a double-blind crossover trial. Fertil Steril. 2003;79(2):292–300.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  194. Paradiso Galatioto G, Gravina GL, Angelozzi G, Sacchetti A, Innominato PF, Pace G, Ranieri G, Vicentini C. May antioxidant therapy improve sperm parameters of men with persistent oligospermia after retrograde embolization for varicocele? World J Urol. 2008;26(1):97–102.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  195. Ciftci H, Verit A, Savas M, Yeni E, Erel O. Effects of N-acetylcysteine on semen parameters and oxidative/antioxidant status. Urology. 2009;74(1):73–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  196. Comhaire FH, El Garem Y, Mahmoud A, Eertmans F, Schoonjans F. Combined conventional/antioxidant “Astaxanthin” treatment for male infertility: a double blind, randomized trial. Asian J Androl. 2005;7(3):257–62.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  197. Keskes-Ammar L, Feki-Chakroun N, Rebai T, Sahnoun Z, Ghozzi H, Hammami S, Zghal K, Fki H, Damak J, Bahloul A. Sperm oxidative stress and the effect of an oral vitamin E and selenium supplement on semen quality in infertile men. Arch Androl. 2003;49(2):83–94.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  198. Piomboni P, Gambera L, Serafini F, Campanella G, Morgante G, De Leo V. Sperm quality improvement after natural anti-oxidant treatment of asthenoteratospermic men with leukocytospermia. Asian J Androl. 2008;10(2):201–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  199. Tremellen K, Miari G, Froiland D, Thompson J. A randomised control trial examining the effect of an antioxidant (Menevit) on pregnancy outcome during IVF-ICSI treatment. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2007;47(3):216–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Kelton Tremellen MBBS (Hons), PhD, FRANZCOG, CREI

  2. Repromed, 180 Fullarton Road, Dulwich, SA, 5065, Australia

    Kelton Tremellen MBBS (Hons), PhD, FRANZCOG, CREI

Authors
  1. Kelton Tremellen MBBS (Hons), PhD, FRANZCOG, CREI
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kelton Tremellen MBBS (Hons), PhD, FRANZCOG, CREI .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Avenue 9500, Cleveland, 44195, Ohio, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

  2. Faculty of Science and IT, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive 1, Callaghan, 2308, New South Wales, Australia

    R. John Aitken

  3. , Department of Male Infertility, Centro Androgen, C/FERNANDO MACIAS 8, 1ºC, La Coruña, 15004, La Coruña, Spain

    Juan G. Alvarez

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Tremellen, K. (2012). Oxidative Stress and Male Infertility: A Clinical Perspective. In: Agarwal, A., Aitken, R., Alvarez, J. (eds) Studies on Men's Health and Fertility. Oxidative Stress in Applied Basic Research and Clinical Practice. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-776-7_16

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation