DOI: 10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_32_26 ISSN: 0974-1208

Evaluation of a Novel Antioxidant-supplemented Sperm Wash Medium on Human Sperm Function: A Pilot Study

Sukanth Kumar Enmozhi, Sasikala Natarajamani, Gunapriya Raghunath, Jerrine Joseph, Infant Xavier, Theepan Raaj, S. Pradeep, Niloy Raj Kalita, Sumathy Arockiasamy, Radha Vembu, Ananda Rani
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A
BSTRACT

Background:

Density gradient sperm preparation may induce oxidative stress, impairing sperm function and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity.

Aim:

To formulate and test an antioxidant-supplemented sperm wash with proteins.

Settings and Design:

An in vitro pilot proof of concept with a paired sample design.

Materials and Methods:

Ten normal and 10 abnormal semen samples were processed by double density gradient centrifugation of the sperm and then split into two portions that were placed in basal Ham’s F10 and in an antioxidant-enriched medium (L-carnitine, N-acetyl cysteine and D-aspartic acid). Reactive oxygen species (ROS), motility, total motile sperm count (TMSC), morphology, teratozoospermic index (TZI) and DNA fragmentation were evaluated. High-performance liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, molecular docking and molecular dynamics analyses were done.

Statistical analyses used:

ANOVA with Šidák/Tukey post hoc variations.

Results:

ROS ( P <0.0001) and DNA fragmentation index ( P < 0.001) levels were found to be significantly reduced with antioxidant supplementation. The motility with progressive movement and TMSC was still maintained ( P < 0.01), especially in teratozoospermic specimens. Sperm recovery was similar for all media, and there were slight changes in morphology and in TZI. In silico results showed that binding to sperm function-associated protein targets was stable.

Conclusion:

The findings of this study indicate that antioxidant supplementation can decrease oxidative stress and improve sperm function during preparation. Studies with more subjects that include fertilisation, embryo development, pregnancy and live-birth outcomes are needed to validate.

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