Table 3. Antioxidant classification in relation to its action on sperm characteristics.
| Type | Function | References |
|---|---|---|
| Enzymatic: | ||
| Superoxide dismutase | First line defense antioxidants | [94,95] |
| Catalase | First line defense antioxidants | [54,96] |
| Glutathione peroxidase | Scavenges lipid peroxides and hydrogen peroxide | [97,98] |
| Glutathione reductase | Scavenges lipid peroxides and hydrogen peroxide | [99] |
| Non enzymatic: | ||
| Vitamin C | Neutralizes free radicals | [100,101] |
| Vitamin E | Neutralizes free radicals | [102,103] |
| Ferritin and carnitines | Neutralizes free radicals and acts as an energy source | [126] |
| Coenzyme Q10 | In its reduced form, scavenges free radicals intermediate in mitochondrial electron transport system | [104] |
| Transferrin | Sperm vitality, DNA integrity and OS homeostasis | [105] |
| Zinc | Formation of free oxygen radicals and sperm chromatin stability | [106] |
| Selenium | Sperm motility and OS homeostasis | [107] |
| N-acetyl L-cysteine | Free radical scavenging activity | [108,109] |
| L-arginine | Formation of free oxygen radicals | [110] |
| Folic acid | Sperm DNA integrity | [111] |
OS: oxidative stress.