Co-culture with Vero cell monolayer maintains the motility of asthenozoospermic semen samples.
The clinical effectiveness of co-culture with Vero (Green monkey kidney) cell monolayer in maintaining the motility and viability of fresh asthenozoospermic semen (18 samples) and frozen-thawed semen with poor motility (motility fraction < 50%) (15 samples) in a 24-h period was evaluated. Co-culture with Vero cell monolayer in human tubal fluid (HTF) medium for 24 h resulted in a statistically better maintenance of motility percentage (P < 0.005), mean amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) (P < 0.005), and mean track speed (VCL) (P < 0.05) than culture in HTF medium alone. However, these motility parameters (motility percentage, ALH, VCL) declined soon after removal of spermatozoa from the monolayer. Co-culture with Vero cell monolayer also maintained the viability percentage of these sperm samples (52% of the original value) after the 24-h period compared with culture in HTF medium alone (22% of the original) (52% versus 22%, P < 0.05). It is concluded that Vero cell monolayer is effective in the maintenance of motility and viability of asthenozoospermic semen or frozen-thawed semen with poor motility. This co-culture system may be beneficial in enhancing the in-vitro performance of asthenozoospermic semen samples in the practice of assisted reproductive technology. However, its safety needs further evaluation.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine and the Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
H F
HF
Chen
H N
HN
Ho
S U
SU
Chen
Y R
YR
Lien
K H
KH
Chao
H R
HR
Lin
S C
SC
Huang
T Y
TY
Lee
Y S
YS
Yang
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D015925:Cryopreservation; D003470:Culture Media; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D012099:Reproductive Techniques; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology; D013081:Sperm Motility; D014709:Vero Cells
D003470:Culture Media