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Review
. 2020 Sep 11;9(9):282.
doi: 10.3390/biology9090282.

Oxidative Stress and Reproductive Function in the Aging Male

Paulina Nguyen-Powanda  1 , Bernard Robaire  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Oxidative Stress and Reproductive Function in the Aging Male

Paulina Nguyen-Powanda et al. Biology (Basel). .

Abstract

With the delay of parenthood becoming more common, the age at which men father children is on the rise. While the effects of advanced maternal age have been well documented, only recently have studies started to focus on the impact of advanced paternal age (APA) in the context of male reproduction. As men age, the antioxidant defense system gradually becomes less efficient and elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate in spermatozoa; this can impair their functional and structural integrity. In this review, we present an overview of how oxidative stress is implicated in male reproductive aging by providing a summary of the sources and roles of ROS, the theories of aging, and the current animal and human studies that demonstrate the impacts of APA on the male germ line, the health of progeny and fertility, and how treatment with antioxidants may reverse these effects.

Keywords: DNA damage; advanced paternal age; aging; antioxidants; male infertility; male reproduction; oxidative stress; progeny outcome; reactive oxygen species; sperm.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Reactive Oxygen Species and Antioxidant pathway. Superoxide (O2• −) is broken down by superoxide dismutase (SOD) into hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is further neutralized into water (H2O) by catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), or peroxiredoxins (PRDXs). If not neutralized, H2O2 can break down into hydroxyl (OH•). The reaction between superoxide and nitric oxide (NO•) generates peroxynitrite (ONOO−), which is scavenged by GPX and PRDX.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flowchart of the Consequences of Advanced Paternal Age (APA). With APA, the antioxidant defense system decreases and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase, leading to oxidative stress and cellular damage. Defective sperm can cause a decrease in fertility. In addition, damage can be passed on to the offspring, resulting in a wide array of consequences for the future generation.
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