Therapeutic Role of Green Tea Polyphenols in Improving Fertility: A Review

作者：Sajid Ur Rahman, Yingying Huang, Lei Zhu, Shibin Feng, Ibrar Khan, Jinjie Wu, Yu Li, Xichun Wang · 发表于：Nutrients · 年份：2018 · DOI：10.3390/nu10070834 · 被引用次数：68 · 研究领域：Tea Polyphenols and Effects、Selenium in Biological Systems、Sperm and Testicular Function

Sperm cells are highly sensitive to reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are produced during cellular oxidation. In normal cell biology, ROS levels increase with a decreasing antioxidant response, resulting in oxidative stress which threatens sperm biology. Oxidative stress has numerous effects, including increased apoptosis, reduced motion parameters, and reduced sperm integrity. In this regard, green tea polyphenols (GrTPs) have been reported to possess properties that may increase the quality of male and female gametes, mostly via the capability of catechins to reduce ROS production. GrTPs have antioxidant properties that improve major semen parameters, such as sperm concentration, motility, morphology, DNA damage, fertility rate, and gamete quality. These unique properties of green tea catechins could improve reproductive health and represent an important study area. This exploratory review discusses the therapeutic effects of GrTPs against infertility, their possible mechanisms of action, and recommended supportive therapy for improving fertility in humans and in animals.