Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive with regular sexual intercourse after at least 1 year. Collectively, primary infertility (inability to conceive after one year) and secondary infertility (infertility for one year after having conceived at least once before) affect 10%–15% of couples globally, and male factors contribute to approximately 50% of cases. Both extrinsic factors (age, weight, body composition, heat exposure, smoking, drinking, environmental pollutant exposure, medical interventions, and chemotherapeutic exposure) and intrinsic factors (cell apoptosis, varicocele, metabolic syndrome, inflammation, and male gland infection) could induce oxidative stress (OS), which can lead to poor semen quality and male factor infertility.

Poor lifestyles, including heavy drinking and smoking, increased BMI, and exposure to air toxics are all associated with increased cellular OS, which can result in increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition to lifestyles, the level of sperm ROS also increases with age. High levels of sperm ROS cause abnormal semen parameters, in particular sperm concentration, motility and DNA fragmentation. Accordingly, cellular OS should be considered in the routine clinical application of male infertility.

Anthocyanins, which belong to one of the six subgroups of flavonoids, have high antioxidant properties and may be positively associated with semen quality and male fertility. Considering the emerging importance of intracellular ROS homeostasis in the development of gametes, anthocyanins have been studied in reproductive development owing to the high sensitivity of anthocyanins to oxidative stress. Until now, several anthocyanins in fruits and other plant-derived foods can confer protection in spermatogenesis disorders caused by reproductive toxic compounds, implying the importance of the antioxidants in maintaining normal testicular function and male fertility.

This Research Topic aims to provide an up-to-date understanding of the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that are associated with oxidative stress in male reproduction.

We welcome submissions of Original Research, Reviews, and Case Report on the following sub-topics, including but not limited to:
• Oxidative stress and sperm function, e.g., sperm DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), ROS
• Oxidative stress and sexual dysfunction
• The role of lifestyle factors and environmental pollutants in male infertility
• The impact of nutrients and antioxidants on male fertility
• The association of oxidative stress in metabolic syndrome-related male infertility
• Role of oxidative stress in varicocele and male gland infection
• Inflammatory and male reproduction

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Frontiers in Endocrinology

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