Hyperbaric oxygenation for infertility treatment

Abstract

It is estimated that 15 to 20% of adults suffer infertility. It is presented a narrative review about the role and future pers- pectives of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for infertility treatment. HBOT could improve erectile vascular dysfunc- tion, prevent sperm injury and infertility secondary to oxidative stress, and attenuate testicular ischemia/reperfusion inflammation, improving sperm quality. Hyperbaric oxygen stimulates oogenesis, improves the quality of the oocytes and endometrium, and decreases chronic inflammation in endometritis, so it favors the physiological and assisted fertilization process. Although additional clinical studies are necessary, HBOT could be a future therapeutic tool for infertility treat- ment.