Sleep Disturbances and Male Reproductive Dysfunction: Pathophysiological Mechanisms Linking Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Sleep Deprivation.

Λεπτομέρειες βιβλιογραφικής εγγραφής
Τίτλος:	Sleep Disturbances and Male Reproductive Dysfunction: Pathophysiological Mechanisms Linking Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Sleep Deprivation.
Συγγραφείς:	Alvarenga TA; Instituto do Sono/Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP), São Paulo, Brazil., Toricelli M; Instituto do Sono/Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP), São Paulo, Brazil., Mazaro-Costa R; Laboratório de Fisiologia e Farmacologia da Reprodução-Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil., Vasco MB; Departamento de Cirurgia-Disciplina de Urologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil., Tufik S; Instituto do Sono/Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP), São Paulo, Brazil.; Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil., Andersen ML; Instituto do Sono/Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP), São Paulo, Brazil.; Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil.
Πηγή:	Comprehensive Physiology [Compr Physiol] 2026 Aug; Vol. 16 (4), pp. e70204.
Τύπος έκδοσης:	Journal Article; Review
Γλώσσα:	English
Στοιχεία περιοδικού:	Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101574442 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2040-4603 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20404603 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Compr Physiol Subsets: MEDLINE
Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH):	Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/physiopathology , Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/complications , Infertility, Male/etiology , Infertility, Male/physiopathology , Sleep Deprivation/complications , Sleep Deprivation/physiopathology, Humans ; Male ; Animals ; Oxidative Stress
Περίληψη:	Background: Sleep disturbances, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and sleep deprivation, are critical yet underrecognized contributors to male reproductive dysfunction. Both conditions disrupt endocrine homeostasis, reducing testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels, which are central regulators of spermatogenesis. Objective: This review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the mechanisms linking OSA and sleep deprivation to impaired male fertility, with emphasis on endocrine, oxidative, and inflammatory pathways. Methods: We conducted a structured, non-systematic narrative review using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, focusing on clinical and experimental studies evaluating the effects of sleep disturbances on male reproductive health. Results: Disrupted sleep and OSA-related intermittent hypoxia trigger oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and testicular dysfunction, leading to impaired sperm motility, abnormal morphology, and genomic instability. In OSA, the severity of reproductive disruption correlates with apnea-hypopnea index and nocturnal oxygen desaturation. Despite extensive evidence implicating metabolic and endocrine factors in male infertility, the role of sleep disturbances remains overlooked in clinical practice. Conclusions: Emerging evidence suggests that sleep disturbances may represent a relevant and potentially modifiable factor in male reproductive health. Interventions targeting sleep disorders and oxidative stress pathways have shown potential benefits on hormonal and physiological parameters; however, their direct impact on fertility outcomes remains to be established. Further longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to clarify causality and clinical applicability. (© 2026 American Physiological Society.)
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Grant Information:	2020/13467-8 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo; Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Contributed Indexing:	Keywords: CPAP; erectile dysfunction; intermittent hypoxia; male fertility; obstructive sleep apnea; oxidative stress; sleep; sleep deprivation; sperm quality; testosterone
Entry Date(s):	Date Created: 20260701 Date Completed: 20260701 Latest Revision: 20260701
Update Code:	20260702
DOI:	10.1002/cph4.70204
PMID:	42381217
Βάση Δεδομένων:	MEDLINE

Περιγραφή
ISSN:	2040-4603
DOI:	10.1002/cph4.70204