Fotios Dimitriadis *, Evangelos N. Symeonidis, Panagiota Tsounapi , Aris Kaltsas, Georgios Hatzichristodoulou, Ioannis Sokolakis, Athanasios Zachariou , Atsushi Takenaka and Nikolaos Sofikitis Pages 2796 - 2801 ( 6 )
Background & Objective: Significant advances in the field of male infertility have been witnessed during the last years. Given the well-known detrimental effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the administration of antioxidants has emerged as a promising solution for oxidative stress (OS)-induced male infertility. Nevertheless, this perception seems largely oversimplified, and the existing literature fails to recognize a notable superiority of the excessive use of these widely available nutritional compounds. Taking into consideration that several trials have shed light on the so-called “antioxidant paradox” phenomenon, we recognize that over-the-counter consumption of such supplements might be harmful.
Methods: The relevant studies indexed in PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus databases, published until September 2019 were identified and reported.
Conclusion: In this setting, we acknowledge that there is an urgent need for more elaborate studies in the future that will efficiently elucidate the risks and benefits of antioxidants on semen parameters and their impact on fertility potential.
Male infertility, antioxidants, reactive oxygen species, antioxidant paradox, reductive stress, oxidative stress.
1st Department of Urology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, “G. Gennimatas” General Hospital, Thessaloniki, 1st Department of Urology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, “G. Gennimatas” General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Department of Urology, University of Ioannina School of Medicine, Ioannina, Department of Urology, Martha-Maria Hospital, Nuremberg, Department of Urology, Martha-Maria Hospital, Nuremberg, Department of Urology, University of Ioannina School of Medicine, Ioannina, Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Department of Urology, University of Ioannina School of Medicine, Ioannina