[The effect of high concentration of sodium and potassium ion on motility of human sperm preserved in electrolyte-free solution].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of high concentration of sodium and potassium ion on the motilities of human sperm following the preservation in electrolyte-free solution.


METHODS
Semen samples were obtained from patients attending our infertility clinic. The motilities of their sperm were more than 40%.


METHODS
Ejaculated sperm were washed by using the electrolyte-free Percoll gradient and then preserved in electrolyte-free solution at 4 degrees C for a week. The preserved sperm was incubated and analyzed after the addition of electrolyte solutions under acid or alkaline condition. The sperm were continuously preserved for a day at room temperature and analyzed.


RESULTS
The sperm was by the addition of 35-135 mM Na+ or 5-135 mM K+ in acid solutions. Under the alkaline conditions, sperm were reactivated without Na+ or K+. However, the addition of 135 mM Na+ or K+ significantly decreased in sperm motilities. The some sperm in the solution containing low concentration of Na+ or K+ ions maintained their motilities for a day at room temperature. However, all sperm lost their motilities in the 135 mM Na+ or K+ solutions.


CONCLUSIONS
The high concentration of Na+ or K+ ions had detrimental effects on motilities of sperm following the preservation in electrolyte-free solution.
Yumura
Yasushi
Y
Department of Urology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine.
Saito
Kazuo
K
Suzuki
Kotaro
K
Ogawa
Takehiko
T
Kanno
Hitomi
H
Sato
Kazuhiko
K
Iwasaki
Akira
A
Hosaka
Masahiko
M
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods; D012964:Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*
D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium