Abstract
Considering the challenges surrounding causative factors in male infertility, rather than relying on standard semen analysis, the assessment of sperm subpopulations and functional characteristics essential for fertilization is paramount. Furthermore, the diagnostic value of sperm interactions with biological components in the female reproductive tract may improve our understanding of subfertility and provide applications in assisted reproductive techniques. We investigated the response of two sperm motility subpopulations (mimicking the functionality of potentially fertile and sub-fertile semen samples) to biological substances present in the female reproductive tract. Donor semen was separated via double density gradient centrifugation, isolated into high (HM) and low motile (LM) sperm subpopulations and incubated in human tubal fluid (HTF), capacitating HTF, HD-C medium, progesterone, myo-inositol, dopamine and prolactin. Treated subpopulations were evaluated for vitality, motility percentages and kinematic parameters, hyperactivation, positive reactive oxygen species (ROS), intact mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and acrosome reaction (AR). While all media had a significantly positive effect on the LM subpopulation, dopamine appeared to significantly improve both subpopulations’ functional characteristics. HD-C, progesterone and myo-inositol resulted in increased motility, kinematic and hyperactivation parameters, whereas prolactin and myo-inositol improved the LM subpopulations’ MMP intactness and reduced ROS. Furthermore, progesterone, myo-inositol and dopamine improved the HM subpopulations’ motility parameters and AR. Our results suggest that treatment of sub-fertile semen samples with biological substances present in follicular fluid might assist the development of new strategies for IVF treatment.
Highlights
The aim of male fertility evaluations is to detect possible abnormalities in reproductive system and to determine which cases may require assisted reproductive technologies (ART) as treatment for low sperm count or quality [1,2]
Despite the increased use of ART, 68.5% of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles do not result in a live birth [3] and overall pregnancies per aspiration have only increased by 0.2% as compared to rates in 2012 [4]
Progesterone could be a potential medium to assist in inducing hyperactivation or improve progressivity in clinical scenarios, while HD-C has the potential to improve both high motile (HM) and low motile (LM) subpopulations’ sperm qualities
Summary
The aim of male fertility evaluations is to detect possible abnormalities in reproductive system and to determine which cases may require assisted reproductive technologies (ART) as treatment for low sperm count or quality [1,2]. Alternative approaches and interventions that may improve conventional sperm parameters, and the genetic material of spermatozoa and thereby ART success rates [2], should be explored. Such approaches and interventions would be applicable in cases where fertility issues can be corrected without the need of costly ART cycles. Basic semen parameters alone cannot predict the fertility potential of ejaculates; additional functional tests should be explored, including how spermatozoa respond to various biological substances found within the female reproductive tract [5]. Mature spermatozoa with a high fertility potential typically exhibit progressive motility, normal morphology, viability, ability to undergo capacitation (hyperactivation and acrosome reaction), intact mitochondrial membranes (MMP), normal levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intact DNA [10]
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