Exploring the Effects of Oxidative Stress on Female Reproductive Function: The Role of Antioxidant Supplementation

Dala N. Daraghmeh, Sawsan Salameh, Massa Zahdeh, Rania Ghanem, Rafik Karaman
In: Current Drug Metabolism · 2025 · vol. 26(3) , pp. 173–191 · doi:10.2174/0113892002357565250604075932 · PMID:40530733 · W4411421037
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This review explores how oxidative stress impacts female reproduction and assesses the potential benefits of antioxidant supplementation, concluding that further trials are needed to establish optimal strategies.

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This paper is a comprehensive review exploring oxidative stress (OS) in female reproductive function and assessing evidence on antioxidant supplementation as a strategy to improve female fertility in subfertile women. Using searches of PubMed, Embase, and Google for full-text, English-language publications from 2000 to 2023, the authors report that antioxidants may mitigate excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and support reproductive outcomes, with improved egg-related and fertility endpoints noted across included studies. The review highlights that effects may vary by individual health factors and the specific antioxidants used, and that combinations (e.g., vitamins C and E, selenium, coenzyme Q10) have been suggested as potentially more beneficial than single agents. A major limitation stated is poor repeatability across studies, prompting a call for further large-scale, well-designed randomized controlled trials. The paper does not explicitly discuss endometriosis or adenomyosis; it was included in the corpus via a keyword match in the upstream search index.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: The female reproductive system is susceptible to oxidative stress, which can interfere with ovulation, menstrual cycles, egg quality, and tubal function, ultimately leading to infertility. Antioxidants might play a crucial role in protecting reproductive health by neutralizing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and preventing cellular damage. OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of the research that has been performed on the benefits of antioxidant supplementation for increasing female fertility. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Google for full-text, English-language publications between 2000 and 2023 that investigated the relationship between antioxidant supplementation and improvements in female fertility. RESULTS: Antioxidants have been investigated for their potential to improve fertility outcomes in subfertile women. Antioxidant supplementation shows promise in mitigating these effects by neutralizing excess ROS and restoring balance, leading to improved egg count and fertility outcomes. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of antioxidant supplementation can vary depending on individual health factors and the specific antioxidants used. Studies suggest that a combination of antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, selenium, and coenzyme Q10, may be more beneficial than single supplements. Although individual research has shown beneficial correlations between different antioxidant supplementation and female fertility, study repeatability is poor. As a result, further large-scale, well-designed clinical trials are necessary to better understand the precise role and optimal combinations of antioxidants for enhancing fertility in subfertile women. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This review study offers crucial insights into the complex connection between OS and female reproductive health. It highlights the potential advantages of antioxidant supplements as a preventative strategy. To enhance female fertility outcomes, further research, particularly randomized controlled clinical trials, is needed to determine best practices, identify populations that could benefit the most, and explore innovative antioxidant treatments.
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Abstract

Background: The female reproductive system is susceptible to oxidative stress, which can interfere with ovulation, menstrual cycles, egg quality, and tubal function, ultimately leading to infertility. Antioxidants might play a crucial role in protecting reproductive health by neutralizing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and preventing cellular damage.

Objective

To provide an overview of the research that has been performed on the benefits of antioxidant supplementation for increasing female fertility.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Google for full-text, English-language publications between 2000 and 2023 that investigated the relationship between antioxidant supplementation and improvements in female fertility.

Results

Antioxidants have been investigated for their potential to improve fertility outcomes in subfertile women. Antioxidant supplementation shows promise in mitigating these effects by neutralizing excess ROS and restoring balance, leading to improved egg count and fertility outcomes. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of antioxidant supplementation can vary depending on individual health factors and the specific antioxidants used. Studies suggest that a combination of antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, selenium, and coenzyme Q10, may be more beneficial than single supplements. Although individual research has shown beneficial correlations between different antioxidant supplementation and female fertility, study repeatability is poor. As a result, further large-scale, well-designed clinical trials are necessary to better understand the precise role and optimal combinations of antioxidants for enhancing fertility in subfertile women.

Discussion

and Conclusion: This review study offers crucial insights into the complex connection between OS and female reproductive health. It highlights the potential advantages of antioxidant supplements as a preventative strategy. To enhance female fertility outcomes, further research, particularly randomized controlled clinical trials, is needed to determine best practices, identify populations that could benefit the most, and explore innovative antioxidant treatments.

Keywords

Antioxidants, reactive oxygen species, female infertility, oxidative stress, ROS, reproductive health. 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