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Figure 1 | Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology

Figure 1

From: Reactive oxygen species in spermatozoa: methods for monitoring and significance for the origins of genetic disease and infertility

Figure 1

Schematic representation of NAD(P)H oxidase activity. This enzymes transfers electrons from NAD(P)H to ground state oxygen to create the superoxide anion radical. The latter then dismutates to hydrogen peroxide under the influence of superoxide dismutase. The hydrogen peroxide is predominantly scavenged by glutathione peroxidase, since human spermatozoa possess little catalase activity. Once this peroxidase activity is overwhelmed, a state of oxidative stress may be induced that disrupts the fertilizing capacity of the spermatozoa and the integrity of their DNA.

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Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology

ISSN: 1477-7827

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