Insights Into Antioxidant Strategies to Counteract Radiation-Induced Male Infertility.

Radiotherapy, which employs ionizing radiation to destroy or prevent the multiplication of tumor cells, has been increasingly used in the treatment of neoplastic diseases, especially cancers. However, radiation collaterally leads to prolonged periods of sperm count suppression, presumably due to impaired spermatogenesis by depleting the germ cell pool, which has long-term side effects for male reproduction. Studies of antioxidant compounds as a potential strategy for male fertility preservation have been performed mainly from animal models, aiming to prevent and restore the male germinal tissue and its function, particularly against the oxidative stress effects of radiation.