Reactive nitrogen species (RNS), like reactive oxygen species (ROS), are useful for sustaining reproductive processes such as cell signaling, the regulation of hormonal biosynthesis, sperm capacitation, hyperactivation, and acrosome reaction. However, endogenous levels of RNS beyond physiological limits can impair fertility by disrupting testicular functions, reducing gonadotropin production, and compromising semen quality. Excessive RNS levels cause a variety of abnormalities in germ cells and gametes, particularly in the membranes and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and severely impair the maturation and fertilization processes. Cell fragmentation and developmental blockage, usually at the two-cell stage, are also connected with imbalanced redox status of the embryo during its early developmental stage. Since high RNS levels are closely linked to male infertility and conventional semen analyses are not reliable predictors of the assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes for such infertility cases, it is critical to develop novel ways of assessing and treating oxidative and/or nitrosative stress-mediated male infertility. This review aims to explicate the physiological and pathological roles of RNS and their relationship with male reproduction.

Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics Assam University Silchar 788011 India

Department of Oral Biology and Biomedical Sciences Faculty of Dentistry MAHSA University SP2 Bandar Saujana Putra Jenjarom 42610 Malaysia

Laboratory of Animal Immunology and Biotechnology Department of Animal Morphology Physiology and Genetics Faculty of AgriSciences Mendel University in Brno Zemedelska 1 61300 Brno Czech Republic

Physiology Unit Faculty of Medicine Bioscience and Nursing MAHSA University SP2 Bandar Saujana Putra Jenjarom 42610 Malaysia

School of Medical Sciences Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research 173 Agaram Main Rd Selaiyur Chennai 600073 India

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