Effects of Time of Mild Oxidative Stress before Freezing on the Post-Thawed Sperm Quality
Volume 5, Issue 4, Winter 2015, Pages 401-408
https://doi.org/10.52547/JCT.5.4.401
M Sh, M Zh, A Sh, M Sh, A N, A N
Abstract Aim: The purpose of this study was to consider the effect of mild oxidative stress period on the frozen-thawed bull semen performance.
Material and Methods: In this study, 120 minutes was considered for equilibration of sperm before freezing. One µm of Nitric Oxide (NO) at the 0, 45, 90 and 120 cooling period was added to the diluant before cryopreservation. Sperm motion parameters, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, viability, apoptosis and mitochondria activity were assessed.
Results: Induction of oxidative stress with nitric oxide in the T0 and T45 groups led to significant improvement of total (88.4 ± 2.8, 84.7 ± 2.7) and progressive motility (50.4 ± 2.5, 49.5 ± 2.5) when compared to other groups. Percentage of plasma membrane integrity and viability were not different in T0 (74.4 ± 2.9 and 85.6 ± 2.9) and T45 (75.6 ± 2.9 and 84.6 ± 2.3) groups, where as it was significantly higher when compared with T90 (63.6 ± 2.9 and 69.6 ± 2.3) and T120 (61.5 ± 2.9 and 54 ± 2.3). Moreover, the highest significant percentage of spermatozoa with active mitochondria was observed in the T0 (82.5 ± 3.1) when compared with T45 (65.7 ± 3.1), T90 (42 ± 3.1) and T120 (43 ± 3.1). Acrosome integrity and linearity of sperm were not affected by the oxidative stress treatment time.
Conclusion: It seems that applying oxidative stress using 1 µM NO would improve post-thawed bull sperm quality at the T0 and T45 time of cooling.
The effect of pentoxifylline on human sperm parameters and DNA integrity– An in-vitro study
Volume 5, Issue 3, Autumn 2014, Pages 281-287
https://doi.org/10.52547/JCT.5.3.281
S Gh, MA Kh, A N, I H, P A, S P
Abstract Aim: Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a methylxanthine derivative medicine used to improve motility of human spermatozoa in-vitro. It is commonly used in treatment of male-factor infertility, including asthenozoospermia. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PTX on human sperm parameters and DNA integrity from asthenozoospermic problem.
Material and methods: A total of 38 infertile men with asthenozoospermia were allocated in this experimental study. Specimens were randomly divided into experimental group treated with 3.6 mM PTX, and control group. All samples were incubated at 37˚ C for 45 min. Semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation were measured using sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test.
Results: PTX improved sperm motility, significantly, compared to the control (85.76±5.96 Vs 79.44±9.37, respectively, p < .01). There was also a significant decrease in sperm viability in the PTX- treated group in comparison to controls (87.7±8.3 Vs 83.5±9, respectively, p < .01). In addition, sperm DNA fragmentation was higher in PTX-treated group compared to control (23.36±10.25 and 18.5±8.74, respectively, p < .0001).
Conclusion: PTX might have some negative impact(s) on sperm DNA quality, although it has improved the sperm motility. Further studies are needed to elucidate the safety of PTX treatments in ART clinics.