The role of different antioxidant agents in human infertility and assisted reproductive techniques

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a group of oxidants formed during oxygen metabolism. ROS appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of many human diseases. In reproductive medicine, ROS have both physiological and pathological role in male and female reproduction. Oxidative stress causes damage to spermatozoa, oocyte and embryos. It appears to play a role in both natural and in vitro fertilization and pregnancy.  In In recent years there has been a tremendous increase in couples seeking assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures

in order to have children. However, the success rates of these procedures still remain very low. The negative impact of oxidative stress on fertility has become widely recognized. Several studies have demonstrated its negative effect on the number and quality of retrieved oocytes and embryos following in-vitro fertilization (IVF).   One of the major contributing factors to the low success rate in ART has been the damage caused by free radicals to the gametes and the developing embryo. Oxidative stress can originate from the early steps of ART involving the oocyte, sperm and embryo, as well as in the endometrial environment later on following embryo transfer. The patients with oxidative stress may benefit from the strategies to reduce oxidative stress and treatment with antioxidants.

This review assessed the evidence for the effectiveness of different antioxidants in female and male subfertility.

Keywords: infertility, assisted reproductive techniques, antioxidants, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10,  L-Carnitine ,  pentoxifylline, N-Acetyl cysteine, Zinc, melatonin, vitamin C