ReviewAntioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)2026
Oxidative Stress, Sperm DNA Fragmentation, or Both? Optimizing Test Selection in Male Infertility Evaluation.
Review in Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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The trial behind it
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Tirzepatide in Men Seeking Fertility: A Structured Narrative Review and Proposed Clinical Framework.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Review
- Oxidative Stress and Male Infertility: A Critical Analysis of Current Diagnostic and Therapeutic Methods.Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Evaluation of Human Sperm Quality In Vitro-Purification of Motile Sperm and Subsequent Assessment of Potential Apoptotic Signs Beyond DNA Fragmentation.Biomolecules · 2026Review
- Localized Depletion of Seminal HDL-C Despite Preserved Systemic Lipid Profiles in Men with Impaired Semen Parameters: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.Biomolecules · 2026Article
- Association of semen leukocytes with sperm DNA fragmentation in a clinical cohort.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) are complementary contributors to male infertility. OS characterizes a compromised seminal redox status, whereas SDF quantifies downstream genomic damage. Human sperm are highly susceptible to redox damage due to lipid-rich membranes and disrupted post-meiotic DNA-repair capacity. Excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause lipid peroxidation, oxidative base lesions, and DNA strand breaks that impair fertilization, embryo development, and pregnancy outcomes. This review explains how OS promotes genomic instability and summarizes the main laboratory assays that assess redox status and SDF in semen. These include direct ROS chemiluminescence assay, oxidation-reduction potential, total antioxidant capacity/ferric reducing antioxidant power, and lipid peroxidation biomarkers, alongside SDF platforms (Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling, alkaline/neutral Comet, and sperm chromatin dispersion). Additionally, guideline-aligned indications are highlighted to clarify the conditions for testing OS and SDF. OS testing is most relevant in men with leukocytospermia or suspected genital tract infection or inflammation, including dysbiosis; in cases of major modifiable exposures such as smoking or heat; and for early monitoring after treatment. SDF testing is particularly informative in couples with recurrent pregnancy loss and in unexplained infertility with normal semen parameters. Combined OS and SDF testing is recommended in clinical varicocele, repeated in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) failure, poor embryo development, and follow-up after targeted therapy. Management centers on treating infection and inflammation, improving lifestyle and environmental factors, considering varicocelectomy when indicated, using targeted antioxidant therapy in men with documented OS, and selectively applying sperm selection technologies or testicular sperm for ICSI when SDF remains high. Priorities include assay standardization, etiologic attribution of DNA damage, and trials testing OS/SDF-guided pathways with live birth as the primary endpoint. When used selectively and in the appropriate context, OS and SDF testing can help refine diagnosis, improve counseling, and help personalize care of infertile couples.
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