Role of Antioxidants in Male Reproduction: Review

Description

To counter oxidative stress, cells constitutively express enzymes that detoxify the reactive oxygen species and repair the damage. An antioxidant is any substance that when present at low concentrations compared to those of an oxidizable substrate significantly delays or prevents oxidation of that substrate. The antioxidant enzymes are major cell defense against acute oxygen toxicity. The functions of these antioxidant enzymes are to protect the membrane and cytosolic components against damage caused by free radicals. Glutathione peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase, glutathione-s-transferase, catalase, xanthine oxidase. Amongst a variety of antioxidants; vitamin E antioxidant use is essential because it travels through the body in molecules called lipoproteins and protect them from oxidation. For Many years, vitamin E considered as an anti-sterility factor. In the male reproductive system, vitamin C is known to protect spermatogenesis, and it plays a major role in semen integrity and fertility in men. It increases testosterone levels and prevents sperm agglutination. It is an important chain-breaking antioxidant, contributing up to 65 % of the total antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma found intracellularly and extracellularly. N-Acetyl cysteine reacts with highly oxidizing radicals such as ˙OH, ˙NO2, CO3˙‑, and also bind redox-active metal ions. Thiosl can also afford radioprotection through the donation of reducing equivalents.
Keywords: Antioxidants; Male fertility; Sperm quality.