Regulation of reactive oxygen species and scavengers on human sperm functions

There are two major sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human semen spermatozoa and leukocytes. These ROS have different effects on the structures and functions of sperm at different levels. The regulation of ROS and scavengers on human sperm viability, motility, capacitation and possible mechanism of this regulation performed in our laboratory are summarized. These studies suggest an important role of ROS in male reproductive physiology or reproductive pathology, and provide theoretical and clinical bases for applications of ROS scavengers to curing male infertility and male antifertility.