[Oxygen reactive species in spermatozoa].

The free radicals of oxygen are chemical species of this element formed through enzymatics and non enzymatics reactions and they have been involved in many pathologic and physiologic processes. The most reactive chemical species of oxygen are the hydrogen peroxide and the free radicals frecuradils superoxide anion, hydroxil and free radical, this one being the most reactive. The mammalian spermatozoa, including the human, produce free radicals of oxygen and hydrogen peroxide; although this cell normally has enzymatic mechanics to protect itself from the possible damage of this toxic agents. In spite of, the spermatozoa is susceptible to "oxitative stress", and maybe it is due to the high concentrations of insaturated fatty acids. This fact may be important in the pathology of certain types of masculine infertility like oligozoospermia, because it displays a discontrol production of oxygen reactive species in the spermatozoa.