Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar, India.
Adv Exp Med Biol. 2022;1358:41-62. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-89340-8_3.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are free radicals that have at least one unpaired electron and play specific roles in the human body. An imbalance of ROS and antioxidant levels gives rise to a condition called oxidative stress. High levels of ROS in the male reproductive tract can interfere with its normal functioning and can even pose as toxic to the sperm, inhibiting sperm functioning (including motility) and metabolism. Oxidative stress resulting from ROS and lipid peroxidation is one of the major causes of male infertility including infertility in varicocele patients. These may cause DNA and peroxidative damage and apoptosis. Production of ROS in excess also leads to erectile dysfunction (ED). In recent years, studies have also linked oxidative stress with the development, progress, and therapy response of prostate cancer patients. The present study summarizes the pathological roles of ROS in male reproductive problems such as infertility, ED, and prostate cancer and also provide an insight into the probable mechanism through which ROS exert their pathological impact.
活性氧（ROS）是指具有至少一个不成对电子的自由基，并在人体内发挥特定作用。ROS 和抗氧化剂水平的失衡会导致一种称为氧化应激的情况。男性生殖道中高水平的 ROS 会干扰其正常功能，甚至对精子有毒，抑制精子功能（包括运动能力）和新陈代谢。ROS 和脂质过氧化引起的氧化应激是男性不育的主要原因之一，包括精索静脉曲张患者的不育。这些可能导致 DNA 和过氧化损伤以及细胞凋亡。ROS 过量产生也会导致勃起功能障碍（ED）。近年来，研究还将氧化应激与前列腺癌患者的发展、进展和治疗反应联系起来。本研究总结了 ROS 在男性生殖问题（如不育、ED 和前列腺癌）中的病理作用，并深入探讨了 ROS 发挥其病理影响的可能机制。
