Oxidative stress: Oocyte quality and infertility

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Cellular Biology
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Female infertility affects numerous couples globally, with reproductive dysfunction being a major cause.
• Oxidative stress (OS), an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, is a key factor in oocyte quality and female fertility.
• Mitochondria and granulosa cells are identified as primary sources of OS in reproductive processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the origins and impacts of oxidative stress on female reproductive health.
• To explore the mechanisms by which OS affects oocyte quality and contributes to infertility.
• To discuss the role of OS in various reproductive disorders and assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review on oxidative stress in female reproduction.
• Analysis of OS origins, including in vivo and in vitro sources.
• Examination of factors contributing to OS, such as aging, obesity, environmental exposures, and ART procedures.

Main Results:

• OS adversely affects oocyte quality via mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, and impaired fertilization.
• OS is linked to reproductive conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, premature ovarian insufficiency, and miscarriage.
• OS poses challenges in ART, necessitating mitigation strategies.

Conclusions:

• Oxidative stress is a significant contributor to female infertility and reproductive health issues.
• Understanding OS mechanisms is vital for developing therapeutic interventions.
• Mitigating OS in clinical and environmental settings is essential for enhancing fertility outcomes.