Effects of combined antioxidant supplementation on human sperm motility and morphology during sperm manipulation in vitro

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of antioxidant combinations on human sperm motility and morphologic normality during preparation and in vitro incubation to improve sperm quality for assisted reproductive technology (ART).DesignProspective study.SettingLaboratory.Patient(s)Six fertile males, 21 to 25 years of age, after 3 days of sexual abstinence.Intervention(s)Sperm retrieved from patients with normal fertility prepared and incubated in vitro in medium supplemented with taurine, cysteine, and/or glutathione.Main Outcome Measure(s)Motility indices, including motility (MOT), average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), and morphologic normality.Result(s)Taurine supplementation during sperm preparation had no significant effects on motility or morphologic normality. However, when sperm was incubated for 24 hours under taurine-supplemented conditions, the rates of reduction in MOT, VAP, VCL, and VSL were statistically significantly decreased compared with taurine-free conditions. Morphologic normality was maintained, regardless of taurine treatment. The optimal taurine concentration for improving sperm motility and morphologic normality during preparation and in vitro incubation was 1 mM. Subsequently, combined treatment with 1 mM taurine, 1 mM cysteine, and 1 mM glutathione induced statistically significant synergistic effects on MOT, VAP, VCL, and VSL without any alteration of morphologic normality.Conclusion(s)Combined treatment with taurine, cysteine, and glutathione statistically significantly ameliorated the reduction in sperm motility during in vitro manipulation of human sperm.