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Antioxidants
Special Issues
Oxidative Stress and Sperm: Technical, Biological and Clinical Aspects
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Oxidative Stress and Sperm: Technical, Biological and Clinical Aspects

A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Outcomes of Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 October 2024) | Viewed by 8153

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Monica Muratori

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
Interests: male infertility; sperm biology; oxidative stress; sperm DNA fragmentation; semen analysis; flow cytometry; nutrition; environmental pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oxidative stress appears to be an underlying cause for many cases of idiopathic male infertility, as it could be the converging step for several environmental, biological and lifestyle factors impacting on sperm formation and function. Induction of reactive oxygen species production is detrimental during in vitro sperm manipulation, including in selection for oocyte insemination and semen cryopreservation, posing a potential risk to couples treated with assisted reproductive techniques. Oxidative stress is one of the main mechanisms responsible for sperm DNA damage, including DNA fragmentation, a genome anomaly negatively affecting both natural and assisted reproduction. In addition, emerging data suggest that oxidative stress could alter the sperm epigenome. Both genetic and epigenetic damage has the potential to impact not only male reproductive function but also embryo development and the health of offspring.

In this context, further research in this field appears to be of the upmost importance. However, despite a huge number of published studies, there are many areas that remain little explored, including, but not limited to: reliable techniques for revealing oxidative stress; the biological mechanisms of inducing genetic and epigenetic sperm damages; and the clinical meaning and use of the knowledge in this field. The poor clinical results obtained up to now for in vitro and/or in vitro treatment with antioxidant compounds further underline the need for deeper knowledge on this topic.

Dr. Monica Muratori
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • male infertility
  • ROS
  • oxidative sperm DNA damage
  • sperm DNA fragmentation
  • sperm epigenetic damage
  • assisted reproductive techniques
  • in vitro sperm manipulation
  • antioxidants
  • embryo development
  • pregnancy

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1346 KiB  
Article
Reliable Detection of Excessive Sperm Ros Production in Subfertile Patients: How Many Men with Oxidative Stress?
by Costanza Calamai, Elena Chelli, Oumaima Ammar, Michele Tanturli, Linda Vignozzi and Monica Muratori
Antioxidants 2024, 13(9), 1123; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13091123 - 18 Sep 2024
Viewed by 677
Abstract
Sperm oxidative stress has been extensively associated to male infertility. However, tests to detect this parameter have not been yet introduced in clinical practice and no definitive data are present on the extent of oxidative stress in male infertility. In this study, we [...] Read more.
Sperm oxidative stress has been extensively associated to male infertility. However, tests to detect this parameter have not been yet introduced in clinical practice and no definitive data are present on the extent of oxidative stress in male infertility. In this study, we used a novel and reliable flow cytometric method to reveal sperm ROS production in subfertile patients (n = 131) and in healthy donors (n = 31). Oxidative stress was higher in subfertile patients (14.22 [10.21–22.08]%) than in healthy donors (9.75 [8.00–14.90]% (p < 0.01)), but no correlation was found with age, semen quality or sDF. We also failed to detect an increase in sperm ROS production with semen viscosity or leukocytospermia, but a sharp impact of semen bacteria was evident (with bacteria: 31.61 [14.08–46.78]% vs. without bacteria: 14.20 [10.12–22.00]%, p < 0.01). Finally, after establishing a threshold as the 95th percentile in healthy donors, we found that 29% of subfertile patients exceeded this threshold. The percentage decreased to 25.56% when we excluded subjects with bacteriospermia and increased to 60.87% when only these patients were considered. In conclusion, 29% of subfertile patients showed an excessive sperm ROS production. Surprisingly, this parameter appears to be independent from routine semen analysis and even sDF determination, promising to provide additional information on male infertility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress and Sperm: Technical, Biological and Clinical Aspects)
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Review

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32 pages, 2661 KiB  
Review
Advancements in Genetic Biomarkers and Exogenous Antioxidant Supplementation for Safeguarding Mammalian Cells against Heat-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis
by Muhammad Zahoor Khan, Adnan Khan, Wenting Chen, Wenqiong Chai and Changfa Wang
Antioxidants 2024, 13(3), 258; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13030258 - 20 Feb 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2650
Abstract
Heat stress represents a pervasive global concern with far-reaching implications for the reproductive efficiency of both animal and human populations. An extensive body of published research on heat stress effects utilizes controlled experimental environments to expose cells and tissues to heat stress and [...] Read more.
Heat stress represents a pervasive global concern with far-reaching implications for the reproductive efficiency of both animal and human populations. An extensive body of published research on heat stress effects utilizes controlled experimental environments to expose cells and tissues to heat stress and its disruptive influence on the physiological aspects of reproductive phenotypic traits, encompassing parameters such as sperm quality, sperm motility, viability, and overall competence. Beyond these immediate effects, heat stress has been linked to embryo losses, compromised oocyte development, and even infertility across diverse species. One of the primary mechanisms underlying these adverse reproductive outcomes is the elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels precipitating oxidative stress and apoptosis within mammalian reproductive cells. Oxidative stress and apoptosis are recognized as pivotal biological factors through which heat stress exerts its disruptive impact on both male and female reproductive cells. In a concerted effort to mitigate the detrimental consequences of heat stress, supplementation with antioxidants, both in natural and synthetic forms, has been explored as a potential intervention strategy. Furthermore, reproductive cells possess inherent self-protective mechanisms that come into play during episodes of heat stress, aiding in their survival. This comprehensive review delves into the multifaceted effects of heat stress on reproductive phenotypic traits and elucidates the intricate molecular mechanisms underpinning oxidative stress and apoptosis in reproductive cells, which compromise their normal function. Additionally, we provide a succinct overview of potential antioxidant interventions and highlight the genetic biomarkers within reproductive cells that possess self-protective capabilities, collectively offering promising avenues for ameliorating the negative impact of heat stress by restraining apoptosis and oxidative stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress and Sperm: Technical, Biological and Clinical Aspects)
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22 pages, 1716 KiB  
Review
Implications of Exposure to Air Pollution on Male Reproduction: The Role of Oxidative Stress
by Temidayo S. Omolaoye, Bongekile T. Skosana, Lisa Marie Ferguson, Yashthi Ramsunder, Bashir M. Ayad and Stefan S. Du Plessis
Antioxidants 2024, 13(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13010064 - 1 Jan 2024
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4248
Abstract
Air pollution, either from indoor (household) or outdoor (ambient) sources, occurs when there is presence of respirable particles in the form of chemical, physical, or biological agents that modify the natural features of the atmosphere or environment. Today, almost 2.4 billion people are [...] Read more.
Air pollution, either from indoor (household) or outdoor (ambient) sources, occurs when there is presence of respirable particles in the form of chemical, physical, or biological agents that modify the natural features of the atmosphere or environment. Today, almost 2.4 billion people are exposed to hazardous levels of indoor pollution, while 99% of the global population breathes air pollutants that exceed the World Health Organization guideline limits. It is not surprising that air pollution is the world’s leading environmental cause of diseases and contributes greatly to the global burden of diseases. Upon entry, air pollutants can cause an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by undergoing oxidation to generate quinones, which further act as oxidizing agents to yield more ROS. Excessive production of ROS can cause oxidative stress, induce lipid peroxidation, enhance the binding of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to their receptors, or bind to PAH to cause DNA strand breaks. The continuous and prolonged exposure to air pollutants is associated with the development or exacerbation of pathologies such as acute or chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative and skin diseases, and even reduced fertility potential. Males and females contribute to infertility equally, and exposure to air pollutants can negatively affect reproduction. In this review, emphasis will be placed on the implications of exposure to air pollutants on male fertility potential, bringing to light its effects on semen parameters (basic and advanced) and male sexual health. This study will also touch on the clinical implications of air pollution on male reproduction while highlighting the role of oxidative stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress and Sperm: Technical, Biological and Clinical Aspects)
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