Infertility is an important public health problem, yet diagnosis and treatment can be stressful and invasive. The role of oxidative stress in fertility is an understudied and compelling area for investigation. Oxidative stress occurs when the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other radical species exceeds the scavenging capacity by antioxidants due to excessive production of ROS and/or inadequate intake or increased utilization of antioxidants.

Oxidative stress has a role in the etiopathogenesis of many factors causing natural infertility. The etiologies of unexplained infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss remain unclear and present a scientific challenge. Oxidative stress may be a piece in this puzzle. Antioxidant supplementation may be effective in controlling the production of ROS and continues to be explored as a potential strategy to overcome reproductive disorders associated with infertility. However, investigations conducted to date have been through animal or in vitro studies, which have produced largely conflicting results. The impact of OS on assisted reproductive techniques (ART) will be addressed, in addition to the possible benefits of antioxidant supplementation of ART culture media to increase the likelihood of ART success. The redox state affects gametes and the resultant embryo. Oxidative stress has adverse effects on assisted fertility including IVF/ICSI and in-vitro maturation. Identifying variable factors that reduce oxidative stress in the reproductive environment may be an inexpensive and non-invasive therapy to increase fertility. Moreover, the role of antioxidants in the regulation of human fertility as well as basic and clinical studies using antioxidant-based strategies for the treatment of infertility are also welcome.

This Special Issue aims to provide a broad and updated overview of the involvement of Oxidative Stress in infertility and assisted reproduction that might shed light on model systems, diagnostic biomarkers, pathophysiological mechanisms, and novel therapeutic approaches. To progress in the knowledge of such intricate issues, we call for contributions by experts in the field in the form of research papers and critical reviews.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Oxidative stress and reproduction
• Mitochondrial medicine in fertility
• Novel therapeutic strategies to reduce ROS in reproduction
• Molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress in infertility
• Senescence in the reproductive system