#302 : Shorter Centrifugation Time Leads to Better Sperm Quality in Swim-Up Processing Technique

Abstract

Background and Aims: Centrifugation is one of the many factors that cause sperm DNA damage in IVF semen preparation. This can occur due to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are uncontrollable, so that the quality of sperm DNA can be damaged. This study aims to compare sperm quality results with swim-up technique under centrifugation times of 5 and 10 minutes. Method: This study involved 50 patients at the Halim Fertility Center clinic from June 2020 to October 2020. The samples obtained were processed using the swim-up method. Samples were divided into 3 groups, namely control, 5 and 10 minutes of centrifugation. Sperm quality recorded was concentration, total motility, progressive motility and DNA fragmentation index (DFI). Results: The sperm concentration after 5- and 10-min centrifugation before swim-up (27.78-39.79 and 35.36–51.09, respectively; p [Formula: see text] 0.05) was significantly higher compared to control (24.85–32.33). The total motility before and after 5- and 10-min centrifugation were 43.78–51.08, 97.66–98.20, and 97.86–98.20, respectively. The progressive motility after 5- and 10-min centrifugation (0–41 and 0–54, respectively) was significantly higher than control (0–24; p < 0.05). The DFI was significantly better after 5 min centrifugation (3.82–6.98) compared to control and after 10 min centrifugation (13.48–19.04 and 1–25, respectively; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Shorter centrifugation times indicate lower progressive motility than long centrifugation times, but considering the lower DFI level, shorter centrifugation times must be used in sperm preparation for IVF to produce better sperm quality.