Department of Biomedical Engineering, Groningen University University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713AW, Groningen, the Netherlands
Jorien T.M. Scholten
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Groningen University University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713AW, Groningen, the Netherlands
Aldona Mzyk
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Groningen University University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713AW, Groningen, the Netherlands; Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science, Polish Academy of Sciences, Reymonta 25, 30-059, Krakow, Poland
Claudia Reyes-San-Martin
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Groningen University University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713AW, Groningen, the Netherlands
Arturo E. Llumbet
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Groningen University University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713AW, Groningen, the Netherlands; Laboratory of Genomic of Germ Cells, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile. Independencia, 1027, Independencia Santiago, Chile
Thamir Hamoh
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Groningen University University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713AW, Groningen, the Netherlands
Eus G.J.M. Arts
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
Romana Schirhagl
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Groningen University University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713AW, Groningen, the Netherlands; Corresponding author.
Astrid E.P. Cantineau
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Corresponding author.
To date 15% of couples are suffering from infertility with 45–50% of males being responsible. With an increase in paternal age as well as various environmental and lifestyle factors worsening these figures are expected to increase. As the so-called free radical theory of infertility suggests, free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an essential role in this process. However, ROS also fulfill important functions for instance in sperm maturation. The aim of this review article is to discuss the role reactive oxygen species play in male fertility and how these are influenced by lifestyle, age or disease. We will further discuss how these ROS are measured and how they can be avoided during in-vitro fertilization.
