Antioxidant Modulation of Reproductive Potential Under Diabetic and Oxidative Stress Conditions

Kibibi Wairimu H.

 

School of Natural and Applied Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, which contributes to systemic complications including cardiovascular, renal, and reproductive dysfunction. Reproductive impairments in both males and females are increasingly recognized as significant consequences of DM, largely mediated by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress arises from an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the capacity of endogenous antioxidant defenses, resulting in damage to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. In males, oxidative stress disrupts spermatogenesis, reduces sperm motility, and induces DNA fragmentation, all of which impair fertility. In females, oxidative damage affects ovarian follicles, granulosa cells, and oocyte quality, compromising ovulation and increasing the risk of early pregnancy loss. Antioxidant interventions, both endogenous and exogenous, offer potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate these effects. Endogenous antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase are critical for neutralizing ROS, whereas dietary and pharmacological antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, polyphenols, and selenium, can further restore redox balance. These interventions have demonstrated improvements in gamete quality, hormone regulation, and reproductive outcomes in experimental and clinical studies. However, challenges such as bioavailability, optimal dosing, timing of administration, and individual variability influence therapeutic efficacy. This review explores the molecular mechanisms by which oxidative stress impairs reproductive function in diabetes and highlights current and emerging antioxidant strategies that may preserve or restore reproductive potential, emphasizing the need for targeted, individualized therapeutic approaches.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, oxidative stress, antioxidants, reproductive health, fertility, therapeutic interventions

 

CITE AS: Kibibi Wairimu H. (2026). Antioxidant Modulation of Reproductive Potential Under Diabetic and Oxidative Stress Conditions.

IDOSR JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 12(1):83-87. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/JST/26/113.8387