High-Dose Antioxidant Use in Men May Affect Sperm DNA and Offspring Development: Study Finds - Video

Antioxidants are widely promoted for their potential health benefits, including disease prevention, anti-aging effects, and treatment of chronic conditions. However, new research from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) suggests that excessive antioxidant intake may have unintended consequences for male reproductive health and offspring development.

The study, published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, examined the effects of two commonly used antioxidants—N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and selenium (Se)—on male mice. Researchers led by Dr. Michael Golding exposed male mice to high doses of these antioxidants for six weeks and then assessed outcomes in their offspring.

While the antioxidant exposure did not produce noticeable health changes in the male mice, the offspring displayed measurable differences in skull and facial development. These craniofacial changes were observed even in the absence of other stressors, suggesting that antioxidant exposure alone was sufficient to influence sperm DNA and developmental outcomes.

Notably, female offspring showed more pronounced effects, including smaller skull size and closer-set eyes—features that resemble those seen in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. According to the researchers, these facial differences may also indicate underlying changes in brain development, as the face and brain form simultaneously during gestation.

The findings raise concerns about the widespread, unsupervised use of high-dose antioxidant supplements, particularly among men planning to conceive. Antioxidants are often used to counter oxidative stress, including damage caused by alcohol consumption, and are commonly included in multivitamins at doses far exceeding recommended daily allowances.

Dr. Golding emphasized that balance is critical, noting that excessive antioxidant intake may reduce reproductive fitness rather than improve it. He advised caution when supplements provide doses well above 100% of recommended daily values, especially in the absence of a medical indication.

While further research is needed to determine whether similar effects occur in humans, the study highlights the importance of moderation and informed use of dietary supplements, particularly during preconception periods.

REFERENCE: Derrico, D. D., et al. (2025). Therapy to teratology: chronic paternal antioxidant supplementation alters offspring placental architecture and craniofacial morphogenesis in a mouse model. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2025.1697843. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1697843/full