Abstract
The reduced sperm mobility is one of the most important causes of male infertility. Several reports have indicated that the treatment of subnormal sperm samples with certain agents prior to artificial insemination significantly improves the fertilizing potential of sperm. We have among others some stimulants such as pentoxifylline, relaxin, prostaglandin E, and diltiazem. In our precedent work, we had tested the effect of supplementation with three essential oils, namely, sage (Salvia officinalis), oregano (Origanum vulgare), and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), on sperm cell mobility and vitality. Oregano oil had shown interesting biological properties by giving the best values of progressive mobility and vitality. In this study, we aim to verify the effect of oregano oil supplementation on the advanced parameters of mobility and on the integrity of the sperm DNA of 25 male infertile volunteers. Our results showed that oregano oil over an incubation period of 5 to 10 min of exposure significantly improves the advanced parameters of mobility, namely, curvilinear velocity (VCL), linear velocity (VSL), the mean velocity of the path (VAP), and the amplitude of the displacement (ALH). The effect of the increase in the VCL decreased the linearity (LIN), the mean line (STR), and the mean wobble (WOB). Oregano oil at 5 min had no significant effect on the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and sperm decondensation index (SDI). However, at 10 min, it had a significant effect on both DFI and SDI. The analysis of our results showed that this plant oil rich in terpenoids and phenolic antioxidants could be a quite good in vitro additive with high potential for the world of medically assisted reproduction.
Highlights
Asthenozoospermia characterized by a sperm cell mobility deficit is one of the major causes of male infertility [1]
In order to show that oregano could be a potential beneficial additive for the preparation of sperm in vitro for the world of medically assisted reproduction, we considered necessary to study the effect of oregano oil supplementation on the advanced parameters of sperm cell mobility, namely, curvilinear velocity (VCL), linear velocity (VSL), mean path velocity (VAP), range of motion (ALH), linearity (LIN), mean straight line (STR), and mean wobble (WOB), as well as its impact on sperm DNA integrity through evaluation of the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and the sperm decondensation index (SDI)
The effect of oregano oil on advanced parameters of human sperm cell mobility has been evaluated at different incubation periods: 0, 5, and 10 min at 37°C under 5% CO2
Summary
Asthenozoospermia characterized by a sperm cell mobility deficit is one of the major causes of male infertility [1]. This is due to a decrease in energy levels that can be caused by a failure of the main pathway of ATP hydrolysis, damage to sperm cell structures (flagella), or infections [2]. To overcome this energy deficiency, experts in reproductive biology propose many solutions, often of a chemical nature, encountering toxicity problems. Our previous work had shown that the in vitro supplementation of the essential oil of oregano during 5 and 10 min of incubation at 37°C under 5% of CO2 significantly improved the mobility and the vitality of the spermatozoa [3].
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