The effects of oxidative stress on female reproduction: a review

The effects of oxidative stress on female reproduction: a review

2012 | Ashok Agarwal*, Anamar Aponte-Mellado, Beena J Premkumar, Amani Shaman and Sajal Gupta
This article reviews the impact of oxidative stress (OS) on female reproduction, highlighting its role in various reproductive diseases and complications. OS is characterized by an imbalance between pro-oxidant molecules and antioxidant defenses, leading to adverse effects on both male and female fertility. In females, OS can affect oocytes and reproductive functions, contributing to conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and unexplained infertility. OS can also cause pregnancy complications like spontaneous abortion, recurrent pregnancy loss, and preeclampsia. Lifestyle factors, environmental pollutants, and obesity or malnutrition can exacerbate OS, affecting fertility. Antioxidant supplementation is explored as a potential strategy to control ROS production and improve reproductive outcomes, although current studies have produced conflicting results. The article also discusses the impact of OS on assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and the potential benefits of antioxidant supplementation in ART culture media. Future clinical trials are needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms through which OS affects female reproductive abilities and to explore the benefits of antioxidants in treating infertility.This article reviews the impact of oxidative stress (OS) on female reproduction, highlighting its role in various reproductive diseases and complications. OS is characterized by an imbalance between pro-oxidant molecules and antioxidant defenses, leading to adverse effects on both male and female fertility. In females, OS can affect oocytes and reproductive functions, contributing to conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and unexplained infertility. OS can also cause pregnancy complications like spontaneous abortion, recurrent pregnancy loss, and preeclampsia. Lifestyle factors, environmental pollutants, and obesity or malnutrition can exacerbate OS, affecting fertility. Antioxidant supplementation is explored as a potential strategy to control ROS production and improve reproductive outcomes, although current studies have produced conflicting results. The article also discusses the impact of OS on assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and the potential benefits of antioxidant supplementation in ART culture media. Future clinical trials are needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms through which OS affects female reproductive abilities and to explore the benefits of antioxidants in treating infertility.
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[slides and audio] The effects of oxidative stress on female reproduction%3A a review