A Global Survey of Reproductive Specialists to Determine the Clinical Utility of Oxidative Stress Testing and Antioxidant Use in Male Infertility
Abstract
Globally, infertility impacts 15% of couples trying to conceive. The incidence of male infertility has been increasing over the past several decades, ranging from 20% to 70% worldwide [1,2]. The male partner is found to be solely responsible in 20%–30% of cases, and contributes
to couple infertility in approximately 50% of cases [3]. The etiologies and risk factors for male infertility are diverse. In addition to genetic causes, common acquired causes include varicocele, reproductive tract infections/inflammation, endocrine abnormalities, cryptorchidism, medications, malignancy, radiation and chemical or chemotherapy exposure, environmental and lifestyle factors, and underlying medical comorbidities [4].