Ali Asghar Ghafarizadeh, Gholamhassan Vaezi, Seyed Mohammad Ali Shariatzadeh, Ali Akbar Malekirad,
Volume 20, Issue 6 (9-2017)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: In Asthenoteratozoospermic men, low motility, defected DNA and highly oxidative stress in sperm cause poor assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Vitamin E (Vit E), as a potent antioxidant, on sperm motility, viability and DNA integrity at different times of in vitro incubation (after 2, 4 and 6-h) to improve asthenoteratozoospermic semen samples for ART.
Materials and Methods: Asthenoteratozoospermic semen samples of 50 volunteers were collected and examined. Each sample was divided into two groups of control and vitamin E (2mM) and kept in the 37 °C and 6 % CO2 for 2, 4 and 6 hours. After this incubation, sperm motility, viability and sperm DNA fragmentation (SCD) were evaluated in each group. Data were analyzed using repeated measurement of ANOVA and T-test. The means were considered significantly different at p<0.05.
Results:Significant decrease in total and progressive motility and viability as well as significant increase in sperm DNA damage (after 6h of incubation) were found in control group vs. the control group before incubation (p<0.05). The sperm motility and viability was significantly higher in vitamin E group compared to untreated control group (p<0.05). Our results also showed that DNA fragmentation significantly was lower after 6h of vitamin E treatment (p<0.05).
Conclusion: In vitro supplementation of vitamin E in asthenoteratozoospermia semen samples may protect spermatozoa from maltreatment effect of ROS during sperm sampling via keeping enzymatic and antioxidant process in optimum condition.
Mahsa Soltani, Elham Shojafar, Ali Asghar Ghafarizadeh, Azam Moslemi, Maryam Baazm,
Volume 28, Issue 6 (1-2026)
Abstract
Introduction: Sperm cryopreservation is a crucial method for preserving fertility in patients with asthenoteratozoospermia. However, this process can lead to a reduction in sperm parameters due to the production of free radicals and damage to the cell membrane. Various substances are added to the cryopreservation medium to prevent cellular damage. In this study, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which contains growth factors and bioactive molecules, was used to improve sperm parameters after freezing.
Methods: Semen samples were collected from 20 men diagnosed with asthenoteratozoospermia. The samples were randomly divided into five groups: control (no PRP), PRP50, PRP100, PRP200, and PRP400. Homologous PRP was prepared and added to the respective groups. The sperm samples were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Twenty days after freezing, samples were thawed and subjected to a comprehensive evaluation of viability, motility, morphology, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and DNA fragmentation using specific assay kits. The findings were evaluated using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc test.
Results: The results of this study demonstrated that cryopreservation led to a significant decrease in all sperm parameters in the control group. The addition of PRP at concentrations of 50 and 400 among the concentrations used resulted in a significant increase in total motility, progressive and non-progressive motility, sperm viability, and a decrease in immotile sperm, DNA fragmentation, and MDA levels compared to the control group (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Cryopreservation and subsequent thawing can have detrimental effects on the biological properties of sperm samples. Therefore, the dose-dependent addition of platelet-rich plasma as a cryoprotectant may offer a promising approach to mitigate the negative impacts of freezing on samples from men with asthenoteratozoospermia.
