Biological Relevance of Free Radicals in the Process of Physiological Capacitation and Cryocapacitation

Before fertilization, spermatozoa must undergo a process called capacitation in order to fulfill their fertilization potential. This includes series of structural, biochemical, and functional changes before subsequent acrosome reaction fusion with the oocyte. However, low temperatures during cryopreservation may induce premature activation capacitation-like changes, also known as cryocapacitation, immediately after thawing, which lead decreased viability, motility, ability cryopreserved spermatozoa. Furthermore, is responsible for overgeneration reactive oxygen species (ROS) such superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals, result development oxidative stress, cell membrane damage, lipid peroxidation. Despite that, both cryocapacitation are considered be events; however, potential beneficial or detrimental effects ROS depend on wide array circumstances. review summarizes available information role free radicals