Astaxanthin (AST) is a carotenoid with a strong antioxidant activity and has many biological functions, such as anti-inflammation, immune regulation, anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-aging, and anti-apoptosis. Recent studies show that AST can effectively regulate the dynamic balance between oxidation and antioxidants in the male reproductive system, protect sperm mitochondrial function, ameliorate testicular heat stress and reproductive poison damage, promote the occurrence of sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction, regulate reproductive endocrine hormone balance, and act favorably on primary infertility or metabolic syndrome-related infertility. It also helps the treatment of late-onset hypogonadism and prostate health care. This review updates the studies of AST in male reproductive health and provides some new ideas for the prevention and treatment of male reproductive problems.
虾红素是一种具有很强抗氧化活性的类胡萝卜素，具有诸多生物学功能，如抗炎、免疫调节、抗肿瘤、抗氧化、抗衰老、抗凋亡等。近年来研究发现，虾红素能够有效地调节男性生殖系统中的氧化与抗氧化动态平衡，保护精子线粒体功能，对抗睾丸热应激与生殖毒物的损伤，还可促进精子获能与顶体反应的发生，调节生殖内分泌激素平衡，并在原发性不育、代谢综合征相关的不育中有很好的疗效，对于迟发性性腺功能减退症的治疗与前列腺保健也有一定帮助。本文就虾红素在男性生殖健康中的研究进展进行综述，以期为男性生殖健康问题的预防与治疗提供新的思路。.
Keywords: antioxidant; astaxanthin; male infertility; oxidative stress; spermatozoa.