Black Tea Aqueous Extracts Improve Human Sperm Functions: An In Vitro Study
M. A. Setumo, S. S. R. Choma, R. Henkel, C. S. Opuwari- Urology
- Endocrinology
- General Medicine
Infertility affects about 25% of couples worldwide, and oxidative stress (OS) is linked to its idiopathic etiology. Green, black, white, and oolong teas are produced from Camellia sinensis, depending on their oxidation level, and contain antioxidant properties that may enhance male reproductive functions. The study aimed to investigate the effects of black tea aqueous extract on human sperm functions in vitro. Semen samples were collected from donors, liquefied, analyzed, and divided into normal (n = 40) and abnormal (n = 19) groups using the World Health Organization 2010 criteria. Samples were washed and incubated with black tea aqueous extracts (0, 0.4, 4, 40, 405 μg/ml) for 1 hr and analyzed. Along with a considerable decrease in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, DNA-fragmented spermatozoa, and acrosome reaction, the percentage of sperm vitality and intact mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) increased (