Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To assess the viability and function of human sperm in electrolyte-free cold preservation.
DESIGN
Prospective comparative study.
SETTING
Andrology laboratory of our hospital.
PATIENT(S)
Ten semen samples obtained from patients attending our infertility clinic.
INTERVENTION(S)
Ejaculated sperm were washed using the electrolyte-free Percoll gradient and were then preserved in 0.33 M glucose solution, 0.16 M NaCl solution, 0.16 M KCl solution at 4 degrees C for 4 weeks. As a control, TEST (TES and Tris) yolk buffer (TYB) was added to the ejaculated semen and preserved at 4 degrees C.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Sperm tail morphology, motility, viability (eosin-Y stain), and the concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were analyzed.
RESULT(S)
The number of sperm with normal tail form and the motility of sperm preserved in glucose solution (electrolyte-free cold preservation) were significantly (P < 0.01) higher for 4 weeks than those of sperm preserved in the other three media. The sperm viability in glucose solution was 75.5%, 65.4%, and 51.3%, after 1, 2, and 4 weeks, respectively. The ATP concentration after 1, 2, and 4 weeks remained 64.2%, 53.0%, and 4.3% of the prestorage value, respectively, in the sperm stored in glucose solution.
CONCLUSION(S)
The morphology, motility, viability, and ATP concentration of sperm in electrolyte-free cold preservation were substantially better than those in NaCl solution, KCl solution, or TYB for 2 weeks.
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