Abstract
BackgroundThe influence of ejaculatory abstinence (EA) on semen parameters and subsequent reproductive outcome is still debatable; hence understanding the impact of EA on sperm structural and functional integrity may provide a valuable information on predicting successful clinical outcome.ObjectiveTo understand the influence of EA on sperm chromatin maturity, integrity, longevity and global methylation status.MethodsThis experimental prospective study included 76 ejaculates from 19 healthy volunteers who provided ejaculates after observing 1, 3, 5 and 7 days of abstinence. Sperm chromatin maturity, DNA integrity and global methylation status were assessed in the neat ejaculate. Sperm motility, DNA integrity and longevity were assessed in the processed fraction of the fresh and frozen-thawed ejaculates to determine their association with the length of EA.ResultsSpermatozoa from 1 day ejaculatory abstinence (EA-1) displayed significantly higher level of sperm chromatin immaturity in comparison to EA-3 (P < 0.05) and EA-5 (P < 0.01) whereas; the number of 5-methyl cytosine immunostained spermatozoa did not vary significantly across groups. On the other hand, in vitro incubation of processed ejaculate from EA-1 resulted in approximately 20 and 40 fold increase in the DNA fragmented spermatozoa at the end of 6 and 24h respectively (P < 0.01–0.001).ConclusionUse of short-term EA for therapeutic fertilization would be a clinically valuable strategy to improve the DNA quality. However, use of such spermatozoa after prolonged incubation in vitro should be avoided as it can carry a substantial risk of transmitting DNA fragmentation to the oocytes.
Highlights
Earlier studies have clearly shown that duration of the ejaculatory abstinence
The influence of ejaculatory abstinence (EA) on semen parameters and subsequent reproductive outcome is still debatable; understanding the impact of EA on sperm structural and functional integrity may provide a valuable information on predicting successful clinical outcome
We hypothesized that shorter EA may compromise the longevity of sperm DNA under in vitro conditions due to inadequate time available for epididymal programing of the spermatozoa though; studies have suggested that good DNA bearing sperm can be enriched by a short abstinence period [15,16]
Summary
Earlier studies have clearly shown that duration of the ejaculatory abstinence As the reports on the influence of EA on semen parameters and subsequent reproductive outcome are still debatable, understanding the impact of EA on sperm structural and functional integrity may provide valuable information on counselling infertility patients [5]. An earlier study has shown that a short period of EA before intrauterine insemination (IUI) is associated with higher pregnancy rates despite a lower sperm concentration in the ejaculate [9]. The specific aim of the study was to understand the association between sperm chromatin maturity and global methylation status, sperm survival, DNA integrity, and its longevity in relation to the length of the EA. The influence of ejaculatory abstinence (EA) on semen parameters and subsequent reproductive outcome is still debatable; understanding the impact of EA on sperm structural and functional integrity may provide a valuable information on predicting successful clinical outcome
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