Oxidative Stress and Human Reproduction

Dear Colleagues,

Infertility affects about 80 million individuals worldwide, and in the United States it is estimated that 12% of couples that are of a reproductive age will seek medical assistance. An estimated 12 million births or more have resulted from assisted reproduction techniques, as announced by ICMART (International Committee Monitoring Assisted Reproduction Technologies) at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) meeting in 2023. In recent decades, increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress (OS)—a state of imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defenses—plays a pivotal role in various aspects of human reproduction. From gametogenesis to conception, embryo development, implantation, and pregnancy maintenance, oxidative stress influences both male and female fertility outcomes. Despite the growing body of research on the subject, our understanding of the precise mechanisms by which oxidative stress impacts reproductive function remains incomplete. Moreover, the interactions between environmental factors, pollutants, lifestyle choices, genetics, and oxidative stress in reproductive health are complex and multifaceted.

This Special Issue aims to consolidate recent advances and identify promising directions for research and clinical management that focus on oxidative stress in human reproduction. Topics included in this Special Issue are the molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress in reproduction; the pathways for ROS generation in reproductive cells; the role of antioxidants, mitochondrial function, and redox signaling; epigenetic modifications induced by oxidative stress which affect fertility; oxidative stress and male reproductive health; the morphology, motility, and DNA integrity of sperm; oxidative stress biomarkers in semen; the impact of environmental toxins and lifestyle factors on testicular function; oxidative stress in female reproductive disorders; ovarian aging and follicular responses; the contributions of oxidative stress to PCOS and endometriosis; preconceptions about oxidative stress and pregnancy loss; environmental and lifestyle factors; exposure to pollutants, smoking, diet, and stress; modulating oxidative stress through diet and lifestyle interventions; biomarkers and diagnostic tools; the measurement of ROS, antioxidant capacity, and oxidative damage markers; non-invasive approaches for assessing reproductive oxidative stress; therapeutic strategies; antioxidant supplementation; lifestyle modifications and their roles in reducing OS (oxidative stress) in assisted reproductive technologies; the impact of oxidative stress on oocyte quality and embryo development; and strategies to optimize ART outcomes related to oxidative stress. This Special Issue accepts all types of manuscript listed in the journal’s Author Guidelines. Ultimately, this Special Issue seeks to enhance diagnostic accuracy, optimize treatment strategies, and improve reproductive success rates. As oxidative stress is often modifiable, understanding its role offers tangible opportunities for intervention.

Dr. Sofoklis Stavros
Dr. Despoina Mavrogianni
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antioxidants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• reproduction
• oxidative stress
• ROS
• pregnancy