Inflammation, infections, and oxidative stress (OS) all have an impact on male infertility, which is a complicated, multifaceted illness. OS affects motility and fertilization capability. It accomplishes this through damaging sperm DNA, oxidizing proteins, and triggering lipid peroxidation. These effects occur due to an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defenses.
This review aims to evaluate the impact of oxidative stress and inflammation on male infertility by assessing recent literature.
Pro-inflammatory cytokines, like TNF-α and IL-6, interfere with spermatogenesis and promote oxidative damage. Additionally, infections caused by pathogens like Escherichia coli and Chlamydia trachomatis alter the reproductive microenvironment, leading to sperm dysfunction and inflammation.
Early detection and targeted treatment are essential due to the intricate interactions among these elements. Microbiota-modulating techniques, antimicrobial therapies, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antioxidants are therapeutic approaches that may help reduce oxidative damage and enhance male fertility.
Metabolites. 2025 Apr 11*** epublish ***
Anastasios Potiris, Efthalia Moustakli, Eleni Trismpioti, Eirini Drakaki, Despoina Mavrogianni, Alkis Matsas, Athanasios Zikopoulos, Antonios Sfakianakis, Ioannis Tsakiridis, Themistoklis Dagklis, Athanasios Zachariou, Panagiotis Christopoulos, Ekaterini Domali, Peter Drakakis, Sofoklis Stavros
Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital "ATTIKON", Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124 62 Athens, Greece., Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece., First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece., Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research "N.S. Christeas", Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece., Homerton Fertility Centre, Homerton University Hospital, Homerton Row, Clapton, London E9 6SR, UK., Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Hospital Ippokratio, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 546 42 Thessaloniki, Greece., Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Ioannina University, 45110 Ioannina, Greece., Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece.