Effects of temperature on sperm motion characteristics and reactive oxygen species.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of temperature on sperm motility, sperm motion characteristics, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in semen.


METHODS
We collected semen samples from 12 infertile patients and 12 healthy donors and divided each sample into four aliquots just after liquefaction. One aliquot was analyzed immediately after liquefaction and the remaining three were analyzed after one hour of incubation at 4 degrees C, 25 degrees C, and 37 degrees C. Sperm motility and motion characteristics were measured by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Levels of ROS were determined in washed sperm suspensions using a chemiluminescence assay and results were expressed as x10(6) counted photons per minute (cpm)/20 million sperm/mL.


RESULTS
Motility, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, average path velocity, and amplitude of lateral head displacement decreased significantly from baseline values in both the patients and donors after incubation at 4 degrees C. Percentage motility was highest and ROS levels were lowest in the samples that were incubated at 37 degrees C.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our results, we suggest that semen samples be stored at 37 degrees C after collection and during transportation and processing.
Esfandiari
Navid
N
Center for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction Infertility, and Sexual Function, Urological Institute, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Saleh
Ramadan A
RA
Blaut
Andrew P
AP
Sharma
Rakesh K
RK
Nelson
David R
DR
Thomas
Anthony J
AJ
Falcone
Tommaso
T
Agarwal
Ashok
A
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male; D008297:Male; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species