Evaluación de la motilidad espermática usando dos crioprotectores / Evaluation of sperm motility using two cryoprotectants

La infertilidad, es un problema que afecta a una gran cantidad de parejas. Una de sus causas es la disminución de la calidad seminal debido, por ejemplo, a tratamientos gonadotóxicos. La criopreservación seminal es la técnica que permite conservar y almacenar espermatozoides sin que pierdan su capacidad fecundante; siendo esta una herramienta fundamental en reproducción asistida. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido optimizar la técnica de criopreservación. Para ello se llevó a cabo un estudio, sobre muestras de pacientes en estudio por problemas de fertilidad, en el que se compararon dos medios de criopreservación (SpermCryo™All-round y CryoSperm™) y la aplicación o no de un baño en nitrógeno líquido a las muestras (previo a su almacenamiento); así como el efecto del tiempo que transcurre desde la eyaculación hasta el procesado sobre la calidad de la muestra. Las posibles variaciones fueron estudiadas con un analizador automático, mediante la realización de test pre- y post-congelación para comprobarla movilidad espermática

Infertility is a problem that affects a lot of couples. One of its causes is a decreased semen quality due to, for example, gonadotoxic treatments. The cryopreservation of human semen is the technique that allows sperm preserving and storing without losing their fertilizing capacity; being a fundamental tool in assisted reproduction. The aim of this study was to optimize the cryopreservation technique. To this end, a study carried out on samples of patients under study by fertility problems, in which two cryoprotectant media (SpermCryo™ All-round and CryoSperm™) and the execution or non-execution of an immersion of the samples in liquid nitrogen (before storage) were compared; and the effect of the time between ejaculation and the processing on the quality of the sample. Variations were studied with an automatic analyzer by performing pre- and post-thaw sperm motility tests. The results show no difference between the two cryoprotectants media, but seems to have a tendency to obtain better postthaw mobility with either depending on sample characteristics. Moreover, the liquid nitrogen bath had no apparent effects on post-thaw results. However, we must highlight the importance of time in the processing of semen samples once liquefied, to avoid decreased sperm quality. To improve post-thaw outcomes the key lies in the necessity to adjust the freezing protocol to the sample characteristics and a correct implementation of the protocol cryopreservation (selection and addition of cryoprotectant media...); favoring the management of infertility and the success of assisted reproduction techniques

Spermicidal action of a protein isolated from ethanolic root extracts of Achyranthes aspera: an in vitro study.

A previous study conducted in our department, showed that 50% ethanolic extract of the roots of Achyranthes aspera possess spermatotoxic effects. Preliminary studies also revealed that the active principle may be a protein. In this study a 58 kDa Achyranthes protein (Ap) was isolated from Achyranthes aspera using standard protocols and their effects on the rat sperm was studied in vitro in comparison with nonoxynol-9 (N-9). The sperm immobilization studies showed that about 150 µg of Ap was able to immobilize sperms completely within seconds at a lower concentration than N-9 (250 µg). The sperm revival test revealed that the spermicidal effect was irreversible. There was also a significant reduction in sperm viability and hypo-osmotic swelling in the Ap-treated and N-9 treated groups in comparison to the control. In the Ap and N-9 treated groups the number of acrosome reacted cells were found to be high and it also caused agglutination of the sperms indicating the loss of intactness of the plasma membrane which was further supported by the significant reduction in the activity of membrane bound 5' nucleotidase and acrosin enzyme. Hence this study showed that the protein isolated from the roots of Achyranthes aspera possess spermicidal activity in vitro and can act as a spermicide similar to that of nonoxynol 9. Ap also possessed spermicidal activity against human sperms in vitro.