Effect of pH and Osmolarity on the Sperm Motility

pH와 삼투압 변화가 정자운동성에 미치는 영향

To maintain a good sperm motility is one of the key factors for the successful artificial insemination in retrograde ejaculation, and the sperm motility has been shown to be affected by various environmental factors, including change in pH and osmolarity. Herein we have analyzed the effect of change in pH and osmolarity in urine and normal saline on sperm motility by Sperm Quality Analyzer and Makler counting chamber. Semen, which sampled by masturbation from a 28 year old male and showed normal finding on semen analysis, was used for this study. The results were as follows: 1. When osmolarity was fixed to 300mOsm, pH did not show a definite effect on the sperm moility. However, the motility was generally a bit better in alkaline urine and saline than in acid, particularly than in pH 5.0. 2. When pH was fixed to 7.5, sperm motility was best in urine and saline of 300mOsm. Hyperosmolarity had more adverse.effect on the motility than hypoosmolarity. 3. The sperm motility was worse in the urine than in saline under the same pH and osmolarity. In conclusion, osmolarity has a definite effect on sperm motility, where as pH has relatively little effect. And certain components of urine other than pH and osmolarity might affect the sperm motility.