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Oxidative stress and fertility: incorrect assumptions and ineffective solutions?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 July 2012

Yves Ménézo ,
Frida Entezami ,
Isabelle Lichtblau ,
Stephanie Belloc ,
Marc Cohen  and
Brian Dale
Yves Ménézo*
Affiliation:
UNILABS, Laboratoire Dynabio, Polyclinique du Cotentin, 50120 Equeurdreville, France. UNILABS, Laboratoire d'Eylau, 55 Rue St Didier, Paris, France. PROCRELYS, 28 Avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France. YM, MC are members of the Oxidative Stress College, Paris, France.
Frida Entezami
Affiliation:
UNILABS, Laboratoire Dynabio, Polyclinique du Cotentin, 50120 Equeurdreville, France.
Isabelle Lichtblau
Affiliation:
UNILABS, Laboratoire d'Eylau, 55 Rue St Didier, Paris, France.
Stephanie Belloc
Affiliation:
UNILABS, Laboratoire d'Eylau, 55 Rue St Didier, Paris, France.
Marc Cohen
Affiliation:
PROCRELYS, 28 Avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France. YM, MC are members of the Oxidative Stress College, Paris, France.
Brian Dale
Affiliation:
Centre for Assisted Fertilization, Naples, 80123, Italy.
*
All correspondence to: Yves Ménézo. UNILABS, Laboratoire Dynabio, Polyclinique du Cotentin, 50120 Equeurdreville, France. e-mail: yves.menezo@club-internet.fr
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Summary

One of the most important concerns in assisted reproduction (ART), and in particular ICSI, is the quality of sperm DNA. Oxidative stress is one of the major causes of damage to DNA and attempting to reduce generation of DNA damage related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) through consumption of antioxidants is often tempting. However, current antioxidant treatments, given irrespectively of clinically quantified deficiencies, are poorly efficient, potentially detrimental and over-exposure is risky. Here we discuss new treatments in relation to present day concepts on oxidative stress. This discussion includes stimulation of endogenous anti-ROS defense i.e. glutathione synthesis and recycling of homocysteine, the epicentre of multiple ROS-linked pathologies.

Keywords

AntioxidantsFertilityHomocysteineOocyteOxidative stressSperm
Type
Research Article
Information
Zygote , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , February 2014 , pp. 80 - 90
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012 

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