Antioxidant supplementation in vitro does not improve human sperm motility.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of supplementation of preparation media with ascorbate and alpha-tocopherol on subsequent sperm motility and reactive oxygen species production.


METHODS
Prospective study to analyze postpreparation human sperm motility parameters and reactive oxygen species production following antioxidant supplementation.


METHODS
Andrology Laboratory, Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland.


METHODS
Sixty patients attending the Andrology Laboratory for semen analysis.


METHODS
Normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic semen samples (n = 10 for each control and antioxidant group) were prepared by Percoll density centrifugation (95%-47.5%) in media supplemented with ascorbate or alpha-tocopherol to different concentrations within physiologic levels. Controls were included that were not exposed to antioxidant.


METHODS
Sperm motility parameters were assessed using computer-assisted semen analysis. The generation of reactive oxygen species was determined using luminol-dependent chemiluminescence.


RESULTS
The production of reactive oxygen species by sperm was reduced by supplementation in vitro with ascorbate and alpha-tocopherol. However, progressive motility, average path velocity, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, and linearity were decreased significantly, with the greatest inhibition observed with the highest concentrations of antioxidants.


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation of preparation media with ascorbate and alpha-tocopherol, either singly or in combination, is not beneficial to sperm motility.
Donnelly
E T
ET
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland. e.donnelly@qub.ac.uk
McClure
N
N
Lewis
S E
SE
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D002452:Cell Count; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D003201:Computers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013077:Sperm Head / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014810:Vitamin E; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D001205:Ascorbic Acid