Oxidative stress occurs when the production of potentially destructive reactive oxygen species (ROS) exceeds the body’s own natural antioxidant defenses, resulting in cellular damage.
Oxidative stress is a common pathology seen in approximately half of all infertile men.
ROS, defined as including oxygen ions, free radicals and peroxides are generated by sperm and seminal leukocytes within semen and produce infertility by two key mechanisms.
- First, they damage the sperm membrane, decreasing sperm motility and its ability to fuse with the oocyte.
- Second, ROS can alter the sperm DNA, resulting in the passage of defective paternal DNA on to the conceptus.
One of the most effective ways of reducing oxidative stress is to ensure your glutathione levels are replenished
Read the full article on Oxidative stress and male infertility