Abstract: Many studies were focused on the effect of oxidative damage and antioxidants on male reproductive system. Sperm physiological produces small amounts of reactive oxygen species （ＲＯＳ）, which is necessary for fertilisation, acrosome reaction and capacitation. However, if the increased production of ROS exceed the increased elimination, peroxidative damage of the sperm plasma membrane and loss of DNA integrity typically occur, which leads to cell death and reduced fertility. There were many studies concerning the roles of antioxidants in the oxidative damage caused by the male reproductive problem. Antioxidant mainly acts through inhibition of ROS production or elimination of the excessive ROS to protect sperm, especially in vitro treatment in the absence of seminal plasma.

Key words: Spermatozoa, Reactive oxygen species, Antioxidants