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Médecine de la Reproduction

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Antioxidants and male infertility Volume 13, issue 4, Octobre-Décembre 2011

Authors
AP-HP, hôpital Jean-Verdier, service d’histologie-embryologie-cytogénétique-biologie de la reproduction - CECOS, avenue du 14 juillet, 93140 Bondy, France, Université Paris-13, Cnam, CRNH IdF, UMR U557 Inserm, U1125 Inra, unité de recherche en épidémiologie nutritionnelle, 93017 Bobigny, France

About 15% of couples in desire of child are affected by infertility. Oxidative stress has been involved in unexplained subfertility with a male factor. Thus, oral antioxidant supplementation has been prescribed. Antioxidants demonstrated their interest on sperm improvement in several studies, in particular in men with high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in their sperm. However, in many cases, no beneficial effect was obtained after antioxidant supplementation. Negative effects could be observed in long-term treatment or with excessive doses. Actually, antioxidants are provided in diet or can be found in enriched food. The current revue analyzes the benefits and the risks related to oral antioxidant supplement in subfertile men.