Aging

Abstract

Aging is a physiological process comprising irreversible alterations due to a variety of endogenous and environmental factors at the level of all cells, tissues, organs, and systems of eukaryotic organisms. One of the most important causes of sperm DNA damage is oxidative stress induced by exogenous or endogenous factors or both. Increased oxidative stress in semen correlates with increased male age and reduced sperm motility and increased sperm DNA fragmentation. Telomeric shortening is also one of the basic features of aging, as well as mitochondrial dysfunction; both conditions seem to be affected by oxidative stress. This chapter focuses on the role of oxidative stress in modulation of male fertility with respect to age. © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.