The Role of Antioxidants in Male Fertility: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms and Clinical Applications.

Plain-language summary

This review looked at how oxidative stress (cell damage from unstable molecules called reactive oxygen species, a normal byproduct of metabolism that turns harmful when it outpaces the body's defenses) hurts sperm, and whether antioxidant supplements help. It pulled together clinical studies testing the antioxidants most often used for this: vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, CoQ10, L-carnitine (an amino-acid-like nutrient), and folate (a B vitamin). Across those studies antioxidants sometimes improved sperm measures, but the benefit swung widely with the dose, how long men took them, and each man's underlying health, and the review flags that the trials were too inconsistent to name one proven regimen.

Key findings

• Oxidative stress harms sperm function and quality.
• Antioxidant supplementation may improve sperm parameters and fertility outcomes.
• Results vary by dosage, duration, and individual health conditions.
• Inconsistent study methods and lack of standardized protocols limit conclusions.