There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.
Abstract
To summarize the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the pathophysiology of human
reproduction.
Review of literature.
Fertility research center and obstetrics and gynecology department in a tertiary care
facility.
ROS plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of many reproductive processes. In
male-factor infertility. oxidative stress attacks the fluidity of the sperm plasma
membrane and the integrity of DNA in the sperm nucleus. Reactive oxygen species induced
DNA damage may accelerate the process of germ cell apoptosis, leading to the decline
in sperm counts associated with male infertility. ROS mediated female fertility disorders
share many pathogenic similarities with the ones on the male side. These similarities
include a potential role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis and unexplained infertility.
High follicular fluid ROS levels are associated with negative IVF outcomes, particularly
in smokers. Moreover, oxidative stress may be responsible in hydrosalpingeal fluid
mediated embryotoxicity as well as poor in vitro embryonic development.
High levels of ROS are detrimental to the fertility potential both in natural and
assisted conception states.