Sperm DNA fragmentation and yoga: A narrative review on enhancing male reproductive health.

Infertility remains a significant global health issue, with oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) recognized as critical contributors to unexplained male infertility. SDF adversely impacts fertilization, embryo development, and assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes. Despite advances in diagnostics and clinical management, a large proportion of cases remain idiopathic, implicating complex genetic underpinnings involving over 2000 genes. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the mechanisms, types, and implications of DNA damage in sperm, emphasizing the need for robust diagnostic tools and targeted therapeutic strategies. Oxidative stress, driven by a combination of endogenous and environmental factors, is identified as the primary cause of SDF. While antioxidant therapy has shown mixed outcomes in clinical studies, emerging evidence supports the efficacy of non-invasive lifestyle interventions, notably yoga, in improving sperm DNA integrity. Yoga enhances mitochondrial function and antioxidant capacity, leading to reduced oxidative DNA adducts such as 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8OHDG) and promote the DNA repair pathways. By integrating insights from molecular biology, reproductive medicine, and holistic health practices, this review highlights the urgent need for personalized, mechanism-based approaches to male infertility and presents yoga as a promising adjunct therapy to improve sperm quality, mitigate genetic risks, and enhance ART success.