review · Frontiers in Endocrinology
Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and the body's natural defences, is a major contributor to both male and female infertility. In men, it harms sperm vitality, motility, DNA integrity, and membrane function. In women, it is linked to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and premature ovarian failure, leading to reduced egg quality and impaired follicle development. Antioxidant therapy is an accessible, safe, and low-cost intervention that may improve fertility outcomes in natural and assisted conception. However, current evidence remains inconclusive regarding the optimal dosages, specific combinations, treatment durations, and target patient groups. Addressing these gaps requires standardised treatment regimens and further evaluation of long-term outcomes, including live birth and miscarriage rates.
Infertility affects many couples, and oxidative stress is increasingly recognised as a shared underlying factor. While antioxidant supplements are widely available, cheap, and safe, a lack of clear clinical guidance means patients and healthcare providers do not yet know the most effective formulations or treatment schedules to improve pregnancy success.
The work highlights therapeutic opportunities for fertility clinics, nutraceutical manufacturers, and pharmaceutical developers seeking evidence-based fertility supplements. However, commercial application is currently hindered by inconclusive clinical data. The field remains at a clinical research and validation stage, requiring standardised formulations, targeted patient stratification, and robust trials measuring live birth rates before clear product guidelines can be established.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Oxidative stress (OS) is established as a key factor in the etiology of both male and female infertility, arising from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the endogenous antioxidant (AOX) defenses. In men, OS adversely affects sperm function by inducing DNA damage, reducing motility, significantly impairing sperm vitality through plasma membrane peroxidation and loss of membrane integrity, and ultimately compromising overall sperm quality. In women, OS is implicated in various reproductive disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and premature ovarian failure, leading to diminished oocyte quality, disrupted folliculogenesis, and poorer reproductive outcomes. Antioxidant therapy represents a promising intervention to mitigate the harmful effects of ROS on reproductive health in additions to its easy accessibility, safety, and low cost. Despite several findings suggesting improvements in fertility potential with AOX therapy, the data remains inconclusive regarding optimal dosage and combination, duration of treatment, and the specific patient populations most likely to benefit. In this review, we discuss the role of AOXs in the management of infertile couples, focusing on their biological mechanisms, potential adverse effects, therapeutic efficacy, and clinical applications in improving reproductive outcomes in both natural conception and medically assisted reproduction. Additionally, we highlight the current practice patterns and recommendations for AOX supplementation during the course of infertility treatment. Further, we provide an overview on the limitations of the current research on the topic and insights for future studies to establish standardized AOX regimens and to assess their long-term impact on key outcomes such as live birth rates and miscarriage rates.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1503905
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
