Ovarian dermoid cysts, also called mature cystic teratomas (MCTs), account for 69% of ovarian germ cell tumors in young women. The tumors are formed by tissues derived from three germ layers, and sebaceous materials are most commonly seen. The origin of MCTs is widely considered to be the germ cell origin, which completes meiosis I. The clinical symptoms vary widely, but 20% of tumors could be asymptomatic. The diagnosis of MCTs is usually made without difficulty by ultrasound and confirmed by histopathology post-operatively. The imaging findings have a high diagnostic value. The typical characteristics present in the sonographic images, including a dermoid plug or Rokitansky nodule, are considered strong evidence for a teratoma. Although the malignant transformation of MCTs is rare, it can occur in some cases, especially in women of advanced age. The treatment of MCTs depends on the risk of malignancy, the age of the patient, and the patient’s fertility reserve requirement. In this article, we review the epidemiology, clinical symptoms, diagnosis criteria, cellular origin, and treatment of mature cystic teratomas.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are critical modulators of male reproductive health, influencing sperm function, hormonal regulation, and overall fertility. While physiological levels of ROS and RNS are essential for processes such as sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction, their overproduction leads to oxidative and nitrosative stress, contributing to male infertility. Excessive ROS and RNS can damage sperm DNA, proteins, and lipids, impairing motility, viability, and fertilizing capacity. Moreover, these reactive species disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, leading to hormonal imbalances that further compromise reproductive function. Environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and underlying health conditions exacerbate the production of ROS and RNS, highlighting the need for preventive and therapeutic strategies. Clinically, ROS- and RNS-mediated redox imbalance has been implicated in several male reproductive disorders, including varicocele, genital tract infection and inflammation, obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disorders, and toxicant-related reproductive dysfunction. Antioxidant supplementation has shown promise in mitigating oxidative stress; however, its efficacy varies, and further research is necessary to establish standardized treatment protocols. These findings underscore the clinical relevance of integrating oxidative stress assessment with conventional semen analysis to improve risk stratification and guide targeted interventions in male infertility. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms by which ROS and RNS affect male reproduction and discusses potential clinical interventions to address oxidative and nitrosative stress in male infertility.