Deciphering the role of reactive oxygen species in idiopathic asthenozoospermia

Asthenozoospermia is a severe condition characterized by abnormal sperm motility, contributing to 50% of male infertility cases. Idiopathic asthenozoospermia refers to a form of this condition with no identifiable causes through routine clinical examinations, potentially linked to apoptosis and oxid...

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Main Authors: Zilong Wang, Dandan Li, Guoyi Zhou, Zhen Xu, Xinkun Wang, Senbao Tan, Zhenghao Li, Xiaoli Li, Changze Song, Song Yuan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Endocrinology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1505213/full
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author Zilong Wang
Zilong Wang
Dandan Li
Guoyi Zhou
Zhen Xu
Xinkun Wang
Senbao Tan
Zhenghao Li
Xiaoli Li
Changze Song
Song Yuan
author_facet Zilong Wang
Zilong Wang
Dandan Li
Guoyi Zhou
Zhen Xu
Xinkun Wang
Senbao Tan
Zhenghao Li
Xiaoli Li
Changze Song
Song Yuan
author_sort Zilong Wang
collection DOAJ
description Asthenozoospermia is a severe condition characterized by abnormal sperm motility, contributing to 50% of male infertility cases. Idiopathic asthenozoospermia refers to a form of this condition with no identifiable causes through routine clinical examinations, potentially linked to apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). At low concentrations, ROS positively influence physiological processes, including sperm mature and motility. However, elevated ROS levels can harm human spermatozoa through oxidative stress, primarily due to the absence of effective DNA damage repair mechanisms and inadequate antioxidant defenses. In this review, we summarize the physiological and pathophysiological roles, endogenous and exogenous sources, and therapeutic strategies related to ROS in idiopathic asthenozoospermia. Ultimately, maintaining a proper balance between ROS concentrations and antioxidants is crucial for ensuring male reproductive health.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Endocrinology
spelling doaj-art-25dae2e032bf4383ac5888aad40d2fa62025-08-20T03:13:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922025-05-011610.3389/fendo.2025.15052131505213Deciphering the role of reactive oxygen species in idiopathic asthenozoospermiaZilong Wang0Zilong Wang1Dandan Li2Guoyi Zhou3Zhen Xu4Xinkun Wang5Senbao Tan6Zhenghao Li7Xiaoli Li8Changze Song9Song Yuan10Department of Andrology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, ChinaDepartment of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, ChinaDepartment of Radiation Therapy, Dongguan Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Dongguan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Dongguan, ChinaDepartment of Andrology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, ChinaDepartment of Andrology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, ChinaDepartment of Andrology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, ChinaDepartment of Andrology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, ChinaDepartment of Andrology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, ChinaSurgery and Anesthesia Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, ChinaDepartment of Andrology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, ChinaSurgery and Anesthesia Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, ChinaAsthenozoospermia is a severe condition characterized by abnormal sperm motility, contributing to 50% of male infertility cases. Idiopathic asthenozoospermia refers to a form of this condition with no identifiable causes through routine clinical examinations, potentially linked to apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). At low concentrations, ROS positively influence physiological processes, including sperm mature and motility. However, elevated ROS levels can harm human spermatozoa through oxidative stress, primarily due to the absence of effective DNA damage repair mechanisms and inadequate antioxidant defenses. In this review, we summarize the physiological and pathophysiological roles, endogenous and exogenous sources, and therapeutic strategies related to ROS in idiopathic asthenozoospermia. Ultimately, maintaining a proper balance between ROS concentrations and antioxidants is crucial for ensuring male reproductive health.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1505213/fullreactive oxygen speciesidiopathic asthenozoospermiaoxidative stresssperm motilityantioxidantsmale infertility
spellingShingle Zilong Wang
Zilong Wang
Dandan Li
Guoyi Zhou
Zhen Xu
Xinkun Wang
Senbao Tan
Zhenghao Li
Xiaoli Li
Changze Song
Song Yuan
Deciphering the role of reactive oxygen species in idiopathic asthenozoospermia
Frontiers in Endocrinology
reactive oxygen species
idiopathic asthenozoospermia
oxidative stress
sperm motility
antioxidants
male infertility
title Deciphering the role of reactive oxygen species in idiopathic asthenozoospermia
title_full Deciphering the role of reactive oxygen species in idiopathic asthenozoospermia
title_fullStr Deciphering the role of reactive oxygen species in idiopathic asthenozoospermia
title_full_unstemmed Deciphering the role of reactive oxygen species in idiopathic asthenozoospermia
title_short Deciphering the role of reactive oxygen species in idiopathic asthenozoospermia
title_sort deciphering the role of reactive oxygen species in idiopathic asthenozoospermia
topic reactive oxygen species
idiopathic asthenozoospermia
oxidative stress
sperm motility
antioxidants
male infertility
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1505213/full
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