Effect of Gonadotropins Addition to SMART Medium on Human Sperm Parameters and Chromatin Structure during in vitro Sperm Activation

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the effect Gonadotropins supplied to culture medium on human sperm parameters and sperm DNA structure during in vitro sperm activation. Thirty infertile patients were included. Semen sample was divided into 3 aliquots. One mL of SMART medium either alone (control group) or supplied with one concentration of Gn (0.25 IU or 0.5 IU) was over layered the pellet, and the three tubes were incubated at 37 o C for 30 min in air incubator. Sperm concentration, motility, grades activity, pro gressive motility, normal morphology and agglutination were assessed pre- and post-activation in vitro. Results of the present study revealed that, percentage, sperm motility, progressive motility, normal sperm morphology and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were significantly enhanced (P<0.05) for both treated groups as compared to the control group post - sperm activation in vitro. Using 0.5IU hormones Gn within SMART medium (G3) was significantly improved (P<0.05) sperm parameters post- sperm activation in vitro as compared to G2 group (0.25IU hormones). Post-sperm activation in vitro significant increment (P<0.05) in the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was assessed when using SMART medium enrich with 0.5IU hormones as compared to 0.25IU. The result showed that addition of hormones (GN) to the culture medium enhance sperm motility (%), percentage of progressive sperm activity and normal sperm morphology (%) using centrifugation techniques.