• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.97-101
• /
• 1999

Male genital tract inflammatory conditions may be associated with unexplained infertility. The presence of cytokine such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) was reported in the semen of infertile men. However, the effect of these cytokines on human sperm function is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in-vitro effects of TNF-alpha on human sperm motility with computer assisted sperm analysis. Washed sperm from 16 normal men were incubated without and with TNF-${\alpha}$ (0.1, 10, 1000 ng/ml). The changes of parameters of sperm motility were recorded at different time intervals (0, 5, 24 hour). There was no significant change of parameters of sperm motility in the incubation with TNF-${\alpha}$. It is suggested that TNF-${\alpha}$ alone does not interfere with the sperm motility and more studies are needed.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.9-16
• /
• 2013

Artificial insemination (AI) has been performed widely in swine industry using fresh liquid sperm instead of frozen type of sperm. However fresh sperm are not able to preserve more than three days with optimal motility and other sperm parameters for the successful fertilization, since in vitro stored sperm has an oxidative stress that resulted increase of abnormality and acrosome reation. To overcome these major problems, novel preservative formulation is needed to neutralize the oxidative stress and to provide suitable physiological environment for sperm in in vitro. In this study, naturally derived substances such as Poncirus trifoliate (Trifoliate orange), Garcinia mangostana (Mangosteen), pig placenta and testis extracts were tested as sperm preservative agents. Placenta extracts (PE), trifoliate orange extracts (TOE), testes extracts (TE) and mangosteen extracts (ME) were applied to analyze specific parameters for sperm motion characteristics individually and combinatorial. Each individual extract treatment can accelerate the sperm motility but noticeably TOE, TE and ME treatments exhibited the considerable and significant preservation of sperm motility. PE, TE and ME showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in ALH after one week. Further we evaluated the five different combinations of these extracts on sperm motility and its motion characteristics. Surprisingly even after one week ME, TOE and TE combination significantly preserved the sperm motility about 75%. It is noteworthy that unlike individual extract treatment, combination of ME, TOE and TE simultaneously protect the sperm motility and its motion characteristics. Taken together these data conclude that addition of ME, TOE and TE can be effective for preservation of pig sperm.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.165-167
• /
• 2014

Objective: The objective of this study is to estimate the effects of Inclear, a feminine cleanser, on sperm motility. Methods: Semen samples were obtained from infertile male patients. Following liquefaction, the raw semen samples were diluted with Ham's F-10 nutrient mixture medium containing 0.4% human serum albumin solution at a ratio of 1:3. The semen samples were subsequently centrifuged to separate the seminal plasma from the serum. The supernatant was discarded, and the pellet was resuspended. The sample was again centrifuged to remove cell debris, and the supernatant was removed. The final pellet was gently loosened by resuspension and incubated in medium alone as a control, and in a 10% solution of the medium plus Inclear. A sampling time of 30 minutes was selected on the basis of sperm transport studies. Sperm motility was evaluated with computer-assisted sperm analysis. Results: A total of 20 samples were analyzed. The mean age of patients was $34.40{\pm}2.96years$. There was no difference in sperm concentration and motility in the two samples at 0 minute and 30 minutes of incubation. In both semen samples, the sperm concentration and motility decreased after an incubation period of 30 minutes. However, there was no statistical difference between the samples. Sperm concentration and motility were not significantly different between the control and Inclear samples after 0 minute and 30 minutes of incubation. Conclusion: Inclear has no negative effects on sperm motility. This product can be recommended to pregnancy planners for vaginal hygiene and as a vaginal lubricant.

• Journal of Aquaculture
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.187-191
• /
• 2000

The effects of osmolality on the sperm motility in black seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) were studied. Sperm motility of black seabream was suppressed when the osmolality was equal to the seminal fluid. But sperm became motile when the osmolality increased in electrolyte solution (NaCl, KCl, $CaCl_2$, $MgCl_2$) and non-electrolyte solution (mannitol, glucose, fructose, sucrose). The changes of sperm motility index (SMI) by osmolality of diluents described a parabola. In all of the diluents, SMI was the highest at ca. 1,000 mOsm/kg, which is similar to the osmolality of seawater. Sperm motility was induced by osmolality of diluents, but exposure to hypotonic or hypertonic diluents was harmful to the sperm.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.177-182
• /
• 2004

Alcohol consumption and exposure to endocrine disruptors and industrial solvents have been implicated in impaired spermatogenesis, increase in the incidence of malformed sperm and decrease in the percentage of moving sperm. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the direct effects of some organic solvents(bisphenol A; BPA, dibutyl phthalate; DBP, formaldehyde; HCHO, dimethylsulphoxide; DMSO, ethanol) on mucus penetration distance, motility and survival rate of human sperm in vitro. Semen samples from 3 health subjects were prepared using swim-up method and 0.0005-0.5% organic solvents were added to the test medium. BPA, DBP, HCHO and DMSO produced significant decreases in the motility and survival rate with a different potency. The most potent inhibition of mucus penetration distance, motility and survival rate was observed after exposure to HCHO. A concentration of 0.0005% HCHO significantly inhibited sperm motility. When ethanol m.: added directly to sperm, at concentrations equivalent to that in serum after heavy drinking, these damaging effects were lowest compared with other solvents. Present study shows that each compound has different toxic potency to human sperm and we need special caution for the use of HCHO.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.190-197
• /
• 2008

This study was designed to analyze boar sperm to compare motility, acrosome morphology, viability and ATP by various preservation methods between Duroc boar A with cold shock resistance sperm and Duroc boar B with cold shock sensitivity sperm. Semen volume, sperm concentration, motility and normal acrosome between Duroc boar A and B did not show any differences within 2 h after collection. There were no differences in sperm motility and normal acrosome between boar A and B at 1 day of preservation at $17^{\circ}C$ and $4^{\circ}C$, respectively. However, sperm motility and normal acrosome from 2 day of preservation at $17^{\circ}C$ and $4^{\circ}C$, respectively, were higher for boar A than boar B. The frozen-thawed sperm motility and normal acrosome were higher for boar A than boar B. The sperm viability and ATP concentration according to storage period of liquid semen at $17^{\circ}C$ and $4^{\circ}C$ were higher for boar A than boar B. Also, the sperm viability and ATP concentration of frozen-thawed semen were higher for boar A than boar B. In conclusion, we found out that the original quality of boar semen with cold shock resistance sperm played an important role.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.63-77
• /
• 2021

The aim of this research was to investigate different factors, including cryoprotective agents (CPAs), diluents, dilution ratios, equilibrium times, freezing rates, and thawing methods to optimize cryopreservation protocols for large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). The parameters evaluated were sperm motility, sperm activity index (SAI), survival rate, and DNA damage. Different types of CPAs, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), propylene glycol (PG), ethylene glycol (EG), methanol, and glycerol, were tested for sperm preservation. The highest motility, SAI, and survival rate were observed when EG was used. Different diluents such as Stein's solution, Hank's balanced salt solution, marine fish Ringer's solution, artificial seminal plasma (ASP) of small yellow croaker, and Cortland solution were investigated. The highest post-thaw motility was observed upon using ASP as the diluent. Different concentrations of EG were then mixed with ASP to identify the optimal EG concentration. Experimental results showed that the motility (70.33 ± 1.20%), SAI (5), and survival rate (78.30 ± 0.42%) of post-thaw sperm were optimum when 10% EG and ASP were used as the CPA and diluent of cryopreservation, respectively. Post-thaw sperm motility was high at equilibration times below 150 s and at an optimum dilution ratio of 1:1 (sperm: CPA + diluent) and was not significantly different compared with fresh sperm motility. The freezing rate was found to be slow below -10℃/min. The thawing temperature of 45℃ was identified as ideal. The percentage of tail DNA in post-thaw sperm at 10% EG and ASP was also investigated and was found to have more significant DNA damage than that in fresh sperm but significantly lower damage than that in post-thaw sperm at EG concentrations of 5%, 15%, and 20% (p < 0.05). The cryopreservation protocols obtained in this study will be useful in large yellow croaker hatcheries.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.89-94
• /
• 1991

Thirty five couples were treated by intrauterine insemination with sperm prepared by a washing and swim-up method. Fifteen women conceived(42.9%). Sperm washing and swim-up was found to significantly improve sperm motility for men of infertile couples and the increment of percent sperm motility after sperm preparation allowed significant differentiation of pregnant and nonpregnant patients in asthenozoospermia(submotile) group (p<0.01). The author suggest that the increment of percent sperm motility after sperm washing and swim-up could be a useful screening tool for in vitro procedure proposed to improve fertility in the intrauterine insemination of asthenozoospermia.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.85-94
• /
• 2000

These experiments were conducted to examine the effects of theophylline, pentoxifylline and heparin on frozen-thawed Hanwoo sperm for enhancing motility and viability of sperm. Frozen-thawed semen collected from one bull was treated in TALP(tyrode-albuminlactate-pyruvate) containing varous concentrations of theophylline and pentoxifylline. After incubated at 5% CO2 in air atmosphere for 6 hours, the motility of sperm after the treatments was characterized by CASA(computer aided semen analysis) system. When monitored notility(MOT) and curvilinear velocity(VCL), theophylline and pentoxifylline exerted their optimal action at the concentration of 30 mM and 3 mM, respectively. No difference of sperm motility was observed when the sperm was treated with both substances compared with a single treatment of each substance. Comparison was then made for evaluating the effect of theophylline and / or pentoxiophylline on the motility and viability of significant treatment effects of each substance, high MOT and VCL values were detected in sperm treated with theophylline. In the case of sperm viability examined by an eosin-nigrosin staining, however, a significant decrease was found after the combined treatment of theophylline+pentoxyphilline than after the treatment with heparin alone or no treatment(P<0.05). In conclusion, theophylline, pentoxiphylline or heparin can be used for enhancing the motional characteristics and viability of frozen thawed Hanwoo semen. Considering characteristics of these substances, theophyline may be useful in the artificial insemination system, which requires vigorous sperm motility. While, heparin supporting sperm viability in vitro can be effectively used for improving in vitro-fertilization system.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.220-225
• /
• 1999

The aim of these experiments was to investigate the effects of bovine oviduct epithelial cells (OEC) derived from different segments to bind sperm binding and maintain their motility in vitro. In experiment 1, the number of sperm attached to OEC derived from isthmus or ampulla, the motility of unattached sperm during co-culture and fertilizing ability were assessed. In experiment 2, heparin treated sperm (hsp) or no treated sperm (nsp) were used to evaluate OEC binding ability of capacitated sperm. In experiment 1, regardless of their origin, approximately 65% of the sperm were attached to OEC within 2h. From 6h of co-culture, the numbers of unattached sperm on ampullary OEC were significantly higher than those on isthmic OEC (p<0.005). From 12h of co-culture, the motility of unattached sperm on isthmic OEC were significantly higher than those on ampullary OEC(p<0.05). The cleavage rate of oocytes inseminated on OEC derived from isthmic segment was also significantly higher than those from ampullary segment (p<0.01). In experiment 2, the numbers of unattached hsp on OEC were significantly higher than those of controls (p<0.01), between 2-24h examination. From 12h of co-culture, the motility of unattached nsp were significantly greater than those of hsp (p<0.01). These results show that bovine OEC derived from the isthmus play more important role(s) for sperm binding, maintaining motility and fertilization in vitro than those from the ampulla, and heparin induced capacitation may change sperm binding ability on OEC in vitro.