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Antioxidants Use and Sperm DNA Damage

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Male Infertility

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Abstract

Infertility is a common clinical condition known to induce significant psychological stress to the couple. Conventional semen analysis is commonly used for the initial evaluation of infertile men. However, this test cannot accurately detect sperm function, therefore, it cannot differentiate infertile from fertile men. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to cause lipid peroxidation of the sperm plasma membrane, which in turn could lead to sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF). This shows the positive relationship between these two distinct entities. Therefore, it is necessary to detect their presence as this will determine one of the possible explanations of male infertility. Elevated SDF has been shown to negatively correlate with semen parameters and reproductive outcomes. Indications for its testing has been well studied by a panel composed of experts in this field. Although not recommended for routine use, it is still a valid test for male infertility assessment. Many surgical and nonsurgical treatment options have been offered to reduce the level of SDF. One of these is the use of antioxidants which are readily available compounds used in the treatment of male infertility. Several studies have demonstrated improved sperm kinetics with antioxidant therapy and subsequently improved reproductive outcomes. However, additional research is needed. Despite this limitation, antioxidant use is still a reasonable option for men suffering from infertility due to elevated SDF.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines

    Marlon P. Martinez

  2. Department of Urology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Doha, Qatar

    Ahmad Majzoub

  3. American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

Authors
  1. Marlon P. Martinez
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  2. Ahmad Majzoub
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  3. Ashok Agarwal
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. PUR Clinic, University of Central Florida (UCF), Clermont, FL, USA

    Sijo J. Parekattil

  2. ANDROFERT and State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil

    Sandro C. Esteves

  3. Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

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Martinez, M.P., Majzoub, A., Agarwal, A. (2020). Antioxidants Use and Sperm DNA Damage. In: Parekattil, S., Esteves, S., Agarwal, A. (eds) Male Infertility. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32300-4_47

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