Reactive Oxygen Species of ROS helps the sperm for fertilization. But, increased level of ROS may harm other cells. Some of the harmful effects cause by ROS may include:
- DNA damage
- Oxidation of amino acids in proteins
- Oxidative inactivate specific enzymes by oxidation of co-factors
- Oxidation of polyunsaturated acids in lipids
Increased level of ROS may cause conditions that contribute to infertility in men. Some of them are:
- Oligospermia
- Asthenospermia
- Teratospemia
- Genital Tract Infection
The high level polyunsaturated fatty acid contents in the ROS cause damage to the sperm. This may cause reducing the sperm motility and its ability to fuse with the egg. In almost 30-80% male infertility cases are caused due to ROS mediated damage to the sperm.