OXIDATIVE STRESS: THE MAIN CAUSE OF SPERM DNA DAMAGE

For the 1 in 6 couples who need help starting a family, male factors will be the cause of up to 30% of infertility problems. Although a standard semen analysis remains the "gold standard" for assessing sperm quality (checking factors such as volume, count, motility, morphology and more), 25 - 40% of cases of male infertility may remain "unexplained" after a semen analysis.

One factor that could cause this "unexplained" infertility is oxidative stress. High levels of oxidative stress have been linked to poor sperm function and damage to the cell's DNA, potentially increasing the risk of unsuccessful IVF outcomes. But what is oxidative stress, and how does it affect male fertility?

What is oxidative stress?

95% of the oxygen that enters our body when we breathe is used to produce energy, while the remaining 5% is used to produce free radicals.

In small amounts, free radicals are essential for our immune system, but when their concentration rises above normal they can cause a host of problems, such as damage to tissues, to cell membranes and to the DNA of cells, including sperm. This is called oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress and male fertility

High levels of oxidative stress have been linked to poor sperm function, abnormal semen analysis results and unsuccessful IVF outcomes . There is evidence that high levels of oxidative stress can cause changes in sperm membranes, affecting their morphology and motility, as well as damage to their DNA. This DNA damage could lead to lower pregnancy rates and a higher risk of miscarriage.

What causes oxidative stress?

Our ability to produce antioxidants is controlled by our genetic make-up and can be influenced by our lifestyle and diet. The production of free radicals is increased by many factors, such as smoking, alcohol and a poor diet high in saturated fat, as well as ageing and excess weight. The body's production of antioxidants should be sufficient to balance the production of free radicals, but in many people there may be an excess of free radicals, leading to cell damage and long-term health effects.

Dealing with high levels of oxidative stress

Because sperm is produced every day, you can improve the quality of your sperm in as little as three months with simple changes to your lifestyle.

The important thing to remember is that once we have a diagnosis of sperm oxidative stress (or any other male infertility problem), there is a lot we can do to give you the best chance of conceiving.

*The content of this blog is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have about medical conditions.