Fig. 1.

Accumulation of oxidative damage with paternal aging and its consequences in the offspring. Aging causes oxidative stress due to accumulation of ROS in male germ cells over time. Oxidative stress in spermatozoal mitochondria induces lipid peroxidation and further ROS generation. Excessive amounts of ROS and decreased antioxidant capacity in the course of aging may induce apoptosis or oxidative damage to DNA. If left unrepaired, oxidatively damaged paternal DNA may proceed through fertilization into the offspring, causing a variety of diseases in the offspring