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Human sperm can survive at room temperature for weeks: Measured by motility and viability of sperm maintained under various conditions

2003; Elsevier BV; Volume: 80; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0015-0282(03)01468-7

1556-5653

Carolina Petrella, Jennifer Hsieh, Erin Blake, K. Thrift, Howard A. Zacur, Yulian Zhao,

Reproductive Health and Technologies

Objective: Human sperm after ejaculation may remain motile for hours or days after being routinely processed in an andrology laboratory to enhance sperm quality. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal conditions to maintain sperm motility and viability after processing. Design: Prospective collection of semen specimens from men of non-male factor infertility couples. After processing, sperm motility and viability were recorded hourly initially and then daily until the two measures reached zero. Accumulated data were then analyzed at the end of experiment. Materials and methods: Twelve semen collections from men age 34.8±5.3 (mean±SD) were examined, and then divided into 4 groups. After the initial semen analysis was obtained, a 0.5ml aliquot specimen was removed as group 1. Additional aliquots were taken for groups 2, 3, and 4, all of which went through 45%–90% density gradient separation procedure and were then suspended in 0.5ml of either human tubal fluid (HTF, group2) or modified human tubal fluid (MHTF, group 3 and 4) at different temperatures. Incubation conditions are illustrated in the displayed table. Specimens from each group were examined for motility and viability each hour for the first 6 hrs, and then at 24hr intervals. Motility was assessed microscopically and viability was determined by dye exclusion. Analysis of data was performed using ANOVA. Results: Semen analysis of specimens was within the range of WHO guidelines. Motility and viability in all groups declined on average 5–10 % during the first 6 hrs after processing without statistical difference. Thereafter, both parameters decreased daily in diverse patterns as seen in the table. Maintaining sperm at room temperature in MHTF (Group 4) was superior to other conditions used. Motility of unprocessed specimens declined rapidly within 3 days, although viable sperm in the specimen were seen for up to 2 weeks. Comparison of days with motile and viable sperm observed according to incubation conditions Tabled 1 Conclusions: Conditions to best preserve sperm motility and viability were in the order of groups 4>2>3>1. Results from this study may provide reference information for ART laboratories on managing semen specimens for ART procedures and for physicians on counseling patients, particularly in situations of altered availability of male partner on days of procedures, time frame from semen collection to insemination, and even for natural conceptions.