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REVIEW article
Front. Endocrinol.
Sec. Reproduction
Volume 16 - 2025 |
doi: 10.3389/fendo.2025.1520835
This article is part of the Research Topic Male Reproduction and Oxidative Stress, Volume II View all 10 articles
Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress-Induced Sperm Dysfunction
Provisionally accepted- Peking Union Medical College Hospital (CAMS), Beijing, China
Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in male infertility by impairing sperm function through various molecular mechanisms. This review explores the impact of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) on spermatozoa, particularly focusing on lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation, and protein oxidation. Lipid peroxidation damages sperm membranes, reducing fluidity and motility. ROS-induced DNA fragmentation compromises genetic integrity, potentially leading to infertility and adverse offspring outcomes. Protein oxidation alters key structural proteins, impairing sperm motility and the ability to fertilize an egg. The primary sources of oxidative stress in sperm include leukocyte activity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and environmental factors such as smoking and pollution. Despite the presence of natural antioxidant defenses, spermatozoa are particularly vulnerable due to limited repair mechanisms. The review highlights the importance of early intervention through antioxidant therapies and lifestyle changes to mitigate the detrimental effects of oxidative stress on male fertility. Further research is essential to enhance therapeutic approaches and improve reproductive outcomes.
Keywords: Oxidative Stress, Sperm dysfunction, Reactive Oxygen Species, DNA fragmentation and male infertility, male infertility
Received: 31 Oct 2024; Accepted: 16 Jan 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Wang, Fu and Li. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Hongjun Li, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (CAMS), Beijing, China
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