Figure 1
From: Utility of antioxidants during assisted reproductive techniques: an evidence based review
Potential sources of oxidative stress in vitro in a typical clinical ART setting. In a typical ART setting, the potential sources of oxidative stress in vitro include endogenous and exogenous (external/environmental factors). The gametes and pre-implantation embryo have the potential to generate ROS (endogenous sources). Exogenous factors such as visible light; centrifugation, cryopreservation (freeze/thawing), culture media; oxygen concentration, pH and temperature; and the in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer technique/process itself contributes to ROS production during ART.