Human sperm parameter improvement associated with Ceratonia siliqua extract as a cryopreservation supplement after vitrification

Abstract

Objective: Given the destructive effects of oxidative stress on sperm structure, this study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant effects of different concentrations of <i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> plant extract on human sperm parameters after the freezing-thawing process.Methods: A total of 20 normozoospermic samples were frozen. Each sample was divided into two control groups (fresh and cryopreservation) and three cryopreservation experimental groups (containing <i>C. siliqua</i> extract at concentrations of 20, 30, and 40 μg/mL in the freezing extender). Motility, intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), viability, and acrosome reaction parameters were evaluated.Results: Statistical analysis showed that the highest motility, viability, and PMI were associated with the 20 μg/mL concentration of <i>C. siliqua</i> extract. At all concentrations, intracellular ROS levels were significantly lower and the levels of MMP and the acrosome reaction were significantly higher than in the cryopreservation control group (<i>p</i>≤0.05).Conclusion: <i>C. siliqua</i> extract supplements at concentrations of 20, 30, and 40 μg/mL improved sperm motility, viability, PMI, MMP, intracellular ROS, and the acrosome reaction.