The effects of molecular hydrogen therapies on fertility

Russell, Grace; Nenov, Alexander

Abstract

Human reproductive health is an integral part of personal well-being that can markedly impact upon individuals, couples, families and the wider society. It is estimated that infertility affects 13 to 15% of the world’s population and with parents often deciding to delay planning for pregnancy until later in life, age-related concerns about the viability of female oocytes, in particular, are at the forefront of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) research. It is well regarded that approximately 30% of human infertility is a result of female-related issues; 30% to males, and 30% to a combination of male and female problems. In 10% of cases, there is no recognizable cause. A common underlying factor in both female and male fertility is an increase in reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), whilst analysis of the etiopathogenesis of pregnancy reveals that excessive levels of ROS (which breach endogenous antioxidant capacity) are an impellent factor affecting reproduction.

Molecular hydrogen (H2) is emerging as a novel therapeutic gas. H2 is an uncharged, non-polar, diatomic molecule with a low molecular weight (2.016 g/mol). Such characteristics make H2 favourable for use in medical contexts as they allow the compound to diffuse through both cellular walls and phospholipid membranes including those that occur around organelles, the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrion and the nucleus. Hydrogen therapies such as oxyhydrogen inhalation and consumption of hydrogen-rich water, act as novel and non-toxic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory treatments, with both clinical and empirical research confidently suggesting such therapies may be beneficial to human health, reproduction and prosperity.

This mini-review focuses on the role of oxidative stress in conditions of the female and male reproductive systems and discusses the role of H2 as a suitable antioxidant able to remediate the sequelae of poor reproductive health.

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Sep 5, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Sep 12, 2023
• Publication Date: Sep 12, 2023
• Deposit Date: Oct 9, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 13, 2023
• Journal: SciBase Clinical and Medical Case Reports
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 1
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 1001
• Series ISSN: 2691-7785
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.52768/casereports/1001
• Keywords: Antioxidant; Anti-inflammatory; Infertility; Reproductive health; Molecular hydrogen.
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11165800
• Publisher URL: https://scibasejournals.org/clinical-and-medical-case-reports/1001.html