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The Importance of Antioxidants in Sperm Quality and in Vitro Embryo Production
M.P. Tsantarliotou, V.G. Sapanidou
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Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) is the imbalance between the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and the protective effect of the responsible antioxidant system for their neutralization and/or removal. OS has been identified as one of the main factors associated with male or female infertility. Indeed, the excessive production of ROS affects the structural and functional integrity of gametes and embryos either in vivo or in vitro. In particular, OS damages proteins, lipids, DNA and accelerates cell apoptosis. These events have been implicated with impaired sperm quality and low fertilization rates. The increased amounts of ROS have also been correlated with poor outcome in assisted reproductive techniques (ART) settings. The biological systems are equipped with antioxidant agents in order to counteract the negative effects of the ROS overproduction. Thus, ROS generation due to pathological conditions of the genital tract or the handling of gametes and embryos at high oxygen tension during ART, render the use of antioxidants essential, to protect the cells from the detrimental consequences of OS. A volume of recent published data indicates that both oral administration and in vitro supplementation of antioxidants are very promising strategies in order to maintain sperm quality characteristics and to ensure fertilization. Nevertheless, further studies should be addressed in order to provide answers on the safety, effectiveness, mechanism of action and combination of different antioxidants, depending on the circumstances. This review summarizes the consensus on the role of oxidative stress and antioxidants in animal and human reproduction. An emphasis is given in the critical role of plant derived antioxidants; this new knowledge may contribute in achievement of high fertilization rates.
Resumen
El estrés oxidativo (OS) es el desbalance entre la producción de Especies Oxigeno Reactivas (ROS) y el efecto protector del sistema antioxidante responsable de su neutralización y/o remoción. EL OS ha sido identificado como uno de los principales factores asociados con la infertilidad masculina y femenina. En realidad, la excesiva producción de ROS afecta la integridad estructural y funcional de gametos y embriones ya sea in vivo o in vitro. En particular, el OS daña proteínas, lípidos, DNA y acelera la apoptosis celular. Estos eventos han sido implicados con disminución de la calidad espermática y bajas tasas de fertilización. Altas cantidades de ROS han sido también correlacionadas con pobres resultados de técnicas de reproducción asistida (ART). Los sistemas biológicos están equipados con agentes antioxidantes con la finalidad de contrarrestar los efectos negativos de la sobreproducción de ROS. Por lo tanto, la generación de ROS debido a condiciones patológicas del tracto genital o por la manipulación de gametos y embriones bajo una alta tensión de oxígeno durante las ART, hace esencial el uso de antioxidantes, para proteger a las células de las consecuencias negativas del OS. Un volumen de información recién publicada indica que tanto la administración oral como la suplementación in vitro de antioxidantes son estrategias muy promisorias para mantener la calidad espermática y mejorar la fertilización. Sin embargo, estudios adicionales deber ser realizados a fin de proveer respuestas sobre la seguridad, efectividad, mecanismo de acción y la combinación de diferentes antioxidantes, según las circunstancias. Esta revisión resume el conceso sobre el rol del estrés oxidativo y los antioxidantes en la reproducción animal y humana. Se ha hecho énfasis en el crítico rol de los antioxidantes derivados de plantas; este nuevo conocimiento puede contribuir al logro de altas tasas de fertilización.
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About
Affiliation of the authors at the time of publication
Laboratory of Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. *Correspondence should be addressed to (La correspondencia debe dirigirse a): M.P. Tsantarliotou; email: [email protected]
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