The effects of sevoflurane and propofol on human sperm motility and capacitation in vitro

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on human sperm motility and capacitation at the clinic concentration in vitro. Methods Sperm samples were obtained from normal adults and prepared with discontinuous percoll gradient centrifugation technique, adjusting the sperm density at (30-50)×106/ml. The sperm samples were randomly divided into control group (C group), sevoflurane group (S group) and propofol group (P group), according to the concentration of sevoflurane, S group was divided into low concentration group (S1 group, 1.8% sevoflurane) and high concentration group (S2 group, 2.2% sevoflurane), according to the concentration of propofol, P group was divided into low concentration group (P1 group, 1.8 μg/ml) and high concentration group (P2 group, 2.4 μg/ml), all the samples were incubated for 5 h in an airtight glass container filled with air at 37 ℃. Then human sperm motility waft examined in vitro at 37 ℃ and analyzed by the computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), including sperm motility (a+ b)%, curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP) and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH). The capacitation effect was assessed by using the chlortetracycline (CTC) staining, (B+ AR)% indicates the proportion of sperm capacitation has occurred. Results Compared with control group, after incubation of the sperm samples with 2% and 4% sevoflurane, 4 μg/ml and 8 μg/ml propofol for 5 h, the motility of sperm (a+ b)% and VCL, VSL, VAP, ALH has decreased, and the impact on sperm motility in a dose-dependent manner ; both sevoflurane and propofol at clinical concentrations could inhibit sperm capacitation in a dose-dependent manner(P=0.017); at the same clinical effect concentrations, inhibitory effects of sevoflurane on sperm motility was stronger than propofol (P=0.026); about sperm capacitation, at the same clinical effect concentrations, inhibitory effects of sevoflurane on sperm capacitation was significantly stronger than the propofol (P=0.011). Conclusion Sevoflurane and propofol at clinically relevant concentrations have significant inhibitory effects on human sperm motility and capacitation in a dose-dependent manner. Sevoflurane has stronger inhibitory effect than propofol. Key words: Sevoflurane; Propofol; Sperm motility; Sperm capacitation