The Role of the Natural Antioxidant Mechanism in Sperm Cells

Abstract

Molecular studies of the causes of male infertility revealed a significant contribution of oxidative stress. When excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced or antioxidant activity fails, the equilibrium between oxidation and reduction is disrupted, causing oxidative stress (OS). High levels of ROS can have an adverse effect on sperm function through the initiation of DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, loss of membrane integrity and increased permeability, inactivation of cellular enzymes, and cell apoptosis. In addition to endogenous factors such as immature sperm, leukocytes, and varicocele, potential causes of excessive ROS can also be found exogenously in males with testicular hyperthermia or exposed to environmental toxicity. To maintain the optimal functioning of sperm cells, it is, therefore, necessary to balance the redox potential, i.e., to balance ROS by antioxidants. The purpose of this review is to present the antioxidant defense systems in semen.

Testicular heat stress, a historical perspective and two postulates for why male germ cells are heat sensitive

“…Multiple reports suggest increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within male germ cells following hyperthermia (Kumar Roy, Marak & Gurusubramanian, 2016; Peltola, Huhtaniemi & Ahotupa, 1995; Hasani et al ., 2020; Paul et al ., 2008), leading to adverse DNA modifications and apoptosis via cytochrome c release (Ott et al ., 2007; Ishii et al ., 2005; Ikeda et al ., 1999; Paul et al ., 2008). Within the testes natural antioxidants exist to detoxify surplus ROS (Aitken & Roman, 2009; Kumar Roy et al ., 2016; Kowalczyk, 2021). Knockout of superoxide dismutase (SOD1) enhances the effects of testicular hyperthermia (Ishii et al ., 2005), whereas reducing ROS levels by antioxidant treatment (Kumar Roy et al ., 2016; Ikeda et al ., 1999; Luo et al ., 2006; Li et al ., 2013; Moghaddam et al ., 2022), inhibition of ROS‐producing enzymes (Kumagai et al ., 2002), or photobiomodulation (Hasani et al ., 2020) reduces germ cell death and improves sperm parameters post testicular heating.…”

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate chitosan nanoparticles in an extender improve the antioxidant capacity and post-thawed quality of Kacang goat semen

“…8 Semen contains endogenous antioxidants that help maintain the oxidant-antioxidant balance. 9 However, the excessive production of ROS due to the freeze-thawing process cannot be overcome by endogenous antioxidants owing to the limitations of the spermatozoa cytoplasm and decreased antioxidant levels due to the addition of extenders. 10 Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a powerful antioxidant extracted from green tea.…”

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate chitosan nanoparticles in an extender improve the antioxidant capacity and post-thawed quality of Kacang goat semen

“…8 Semen contains endogenous antioxidants that help maintain the oxidant-antioxidant balance. 9 However, the excessive production of ROS due to the freeze-thawing process cannot be overcome by endogenous antioxidants owing to the limitations of the spermatozoa cytoplasm and decreased antioxidant levels due to the addition of extenders. 10 Several studies to improve the quality of post-thawing goats semen have been carried out, including adding extenders with egg yolk omega-3, 11 fish semen plasma, 12,13 curcumin, 14 butylated hydroxytoluene, 15 combination of myo-inositol and melatonin, 16 and L-carnitine.…”