[Oxidative stress of spermatozoa in pathogenesis of male infertility].

Oxidative stress is a common pathology seen in approximately half of all infertile men. Peroxides causing infertility are generated by sperm and seminal leukocytes. Oxidative stress occurs when production of potentially destructive reactive oxygen species exceeds natural antioxidant defenses resulting in cellular damage. The causes of the oxidative stress include environmental factors (phthalates et al.), chronic inflammation of the prostate, varicocele, autoimmune response to seminal antigens.