Natural Products as Protective Agents for Male Fertility

BioChem

Ana Paula Duarte¹  Sara Correia¹  Roberta V. L. Martins¹  Cláudio J. Maia¹  Sílvia Socorro¹  Ana M. S. Silva¹ 

[1] CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal;

关键词: male infertility;    natural products;    oxidative stress;    spermatogenesis;   

DOI  :  10.3390/biochem1030011

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The male reproductive system is highly susceptible to noxious influences, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, drugs, and even diseases that can induce germ cell damage and alterations in spermatogenesis. All of these factors, which are caused by actions at the testicular level and/or at the excurrent ducts and accessory glands, significantly affect sperm parameters and male fertility. For this reason, it is of major importance to investigate possible ways to protect the male reproductive system since males are exposed to these toxic factors constantly. For centuries, natural products have been used by humans in folk medicine as therapeutic agents, and because of their beneficial properties for human health, plenty of them have been introduced to the pharmaceutical market as supplementary therapies. The present review aims to compile available information regarding different natural exogenous factors that demonstrate potential useful activity in the male reproductive system. The studies presented here reopen the perspective of using natural products as protective agents and eventually as new supplementary therapeutic options for the recovery of hampered spermatogenesis and/or male infertility.

【 授权许可】

Unknown