title: Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on sperm motility and survival.
abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors are present in both male and female reproductive systems. In this experimental study, the effect of different concentrations of VEGF on sperm motility and survival in vitro was investigated. Human spermatozoa, collected from voluntary, proven fertile donors, were incubated in sperm washing medium containing different concentrations of VEGF (5, 10, 15, 20 ng/ml) for 24 h in a university reproductive endocrinology laboratory setting. Assessment of VEGF action on sperm motion characteristics was evaluated using a computer-assisted semen analyser. Sperm survival was determined by hypo-osmotic swelling and eosin-Y dye tests. VEGF had a positive effect on some parameters of sperm motility in a concentration-dependent manner. Maximal effect was observed at a concentration of 15 ng/ml; motility, progression, straight-line velocity and curvilinear velocity of VEGF-exposed spermatozoa were significantly increased (P < 0.05) at this concentration. However, sperm viability was not prolonged at any concentration of VEGF as shown by hypo-osmotic swelling and eosin-Y dye tests. VEGF may increase some sperm motility parameters, but not survival, in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. cemiyi@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ahmet Cem
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Iyibozkurt
authors.forename: Pelin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Balcik
authors.forename: Sibel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bulgurcuoglu
authors.forename: Burcu Kardaş
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Arslan
authors.forename: Rükset
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Attar
authors.forename: Erkut
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Attar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A