AB042. Oxidative stress and male infertility

Infertility is a condition associated with major medical and social preoccupation. A male etiology is responsible for nearly half the cases of infertility and is caused by alterations in sperm concentration, motility, and/or morphology. Recent advances in the field of infertility have greatly influenced our understanding of the different circumstances attributing to male factor infertility. While environmental, physiological, and genetic influences were recognized, at the molecular level, oxidative stress (OS) resulting from the imbalance between oxidants and reductants appears to be a common denominator impairing sperm function and delaying pregnancy. This review discusses the mechanisms by which reactive oxygen species (ROS) develop in semen and their role in the pathophysiology of male infertility.