Field trial of a diluent for the transportation of human semen at ambient temperatures.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the ability of a citrate-yolk buffer extender to preserve human semen samples at ambient temperatures over a 25- to 30-hour period.


METHODS
Human semen samples were diluted 1:1 with citrate-yolk buffer or homologous seminal plasma and transported at ambient temperature between two distant locations (London to Edinburgh, United Kingdom). Various criteria of semen quality then were assessed before and after 25 to 30 hours storage and transportation in these diluents.


METHODS
An institutional research laboratory and a private fertility clinic.


METHODS
Samples were provided by 21 donors of unknown fertility and 7 asthenozoospermic patients.


METHODS
The diluent used to preserve human semen comprised an egg yolk buffer supplemented with fructose and citrate.


METHODS
Aspects of semen quality assessed included movement, hyaluronate penetration, viability, acrosome reaction, and reactive oxygen species generation.


RESULTS
The deterioration of semen quality at ambient temperatures could be prevented by the presence of citrate-yolk buffer, permitting the accurate analysis of oxidative stress and human sperm function, 25 to 30 hours postejaculation.


CONCLUSIONS
Citrate-yolk buffer offers considerable promise as a medium for the ambient temperature storage and transportation of human semen.
Allan
I W
IW
Bourn Hall Clinic, Bourn, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom.
Irvine
D S
DS
Macnamee
M
M
Aitken
R J
RJ
D000177:Acrosome / Q000502:physiology; D002021:Buffers; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002470:Cell Survival; D019343:Citric Acid; D004530:Egg Yolk; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008297:Male; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011309:Preservation, Biological; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012661:Semen; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D013696:Temperature; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D014186:Transportation
D002021:Buffers; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D019343:Citric Acid; D000001:Calcimycin; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate