A study of the antioxidant effect of alpha lipoic acids on sperm quality.
OBJECTIVE
Assisted reproductive techniques are useful in helping infertile couples achieve successful conception. Initial studies have shown that sperm cryopreservation, one step in assisted reproduction, causes a dramatic reduction in sperm quality. This has been attributed to, among other things, free radical activities. The aim of the present study was to minimize this oxidative attack by adding an antioxidant into the sperm microenvironment. Alpha lipoic acids were selected for this purpose for their efficient free radical scavenging properties and solubility in lipid and aqueous phases.


METHODS
For this investigation, semen from six Boer bucks was pooled. Seminal analysis of the baseline prior to incubation of samples with different concentrations of Alpha lipoic acids (0.00625, 0.0125, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 mmol/ml) was performed, and post-seminal analysis was conducted after a one-hour incubation. The comet assay was used to observe the effect of Alpha lipoic acids on sperm DNA integrity. Statistical analysis using an unpaired t-test with a significance level of p<0.05 was then performed.


RESULTS
Our results indicate that the sperm motility rate was improved after incubation with Alpha lipoic acids at a concentration of 0.02 mmol/ml. This concentration was also capable of reducing DNA damage.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, Alpha lipoic acids renders cryoprotection to sperm, thereby improving sperm quality.
Ibrahim
Siti Fatimah
SF
Universiti Kebangsaan, Physiology, Fakulti Perubatan, Malaysia. timi@medic.ukm.my
Osman
Khairul
K
Das
Srijit
S
Othman
Abas Mazni
AM
Majid
Norzaiti Abdul
NA
Rahman
Mohd Padzil Abdul
MP
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020552:Comet Assay; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000975:Antioxidants; D008063:Thioctic Acid