P-099 The development of a novel sperm washing medium, enriched with serotonin as the active constituent, with the objective of enhancing sperm motility and viability
Authors: Yilmazer Y , Cetin F , Moshfeghi E , Dogan S , Aydin T 
Published: July 2024

Study question

Is it possible to develop a novel product that increases the success rate of treating male infertility through assisted reproductive techniques?

Summary answer

Sperm washing media, aiming to improve sperm quality, enhance sperm motility, and generally support male reproductive health in the field of assisted reproductive techniques.

What is known already

Infertility impacts 15% of all couples globally, with 50% of infertility cases attributed solely to male factors. Reduced semen motility is identified as a primary factor directly associated with infertility. The utilization of supplementation to enhance overall sperm quality has gained increasing popularity worldwide. The sperm preparation process in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is crucial for successful fertilization, with sperm washing mediums playing a critical role in enhancing efficiency. Sperm-washing media is a specialized solution utilized in assisted reproductive technologies such as intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization to remove the seminal fluid and debris for sperm to undergo capacitation.

Study design, size, duration

In this study, 200 normozoospermic men were included, and their semen samples were analyzed over an 18-month period following the guidelines outlined by the World Health Organization (2010) to assess the efficacy of serotonin, selenium, zinc, L-Carnitine, and Coenzyme Q10 supplementation on sperm motility, viability, ROS and DNA damage.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Sperm samples obtained from 200 volunteer men undergoing infertility assessments were subdivided into three samples.The sperm samples underwent preparation using the swim-up technique. The study involved the examination of samples in three distinct washing media: (1) Origio, (2) Irvine Scientific, (3) a prototype (serotonin, selenium, zinc, L-carnitine, and Coenzyme Q10). Each medium was analyzed for motility, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and DNA damage.

Main results and the role of chance

It is found that mean basal total sperm counts are 38 million. After sperm washing, mean total sperm counts of Origio®, Irvine® and Prototype are 15 million respectively (p &gt; 0.05). As total progressive motility is % 40 before washing, it is increased to 62%,56% and 64% after washing with Origio®, Irvine® and Prototype, respectively (p &gt; 0.05). Annexin V staining is used for detection of apoptosis in sperm samples. On average, early apoptosis over the total sperm count(TSC) per subgroups are 34.67% for Prototype, 33.17% for Origio® and 30.96% for Irvine®, whereas late apoptosis ratios are found significantly lower in Prototype compared to Origio and Irvine; 8.7%, 28.26% and 27.74%, respectively. Ratio of necrosis over TSC per subgroups is 3.15% for Prototype, 13.49% for Origio® and 18.78% for Irvine® whereas viability ratios are as 53.48%, 25.08%, 22.52%, respectively.(p &lt; 0.05). ROS levels in semen after washing are significantly lower for Prototype (5.9%, 10.29%, and 18.22%, Prototype, Origio® and Irvine®, respectively) (p &lt; 0.05).

Limitations, reasons for caution

Semen samples from males aged 28 to 45, who are unable to conceive, do not smoke, and have not undergone any surgical interventions, are collected from patients after a sexual abstinence period of 3-4 days.

Wider implications of the findings

We propose that our serotonin-activated washing media for sperm preparation can serve as a suitable choice for selecting high-quality sperm in assisted reproductive technology programs.

These molecules may enhance the success of assisted reproduction techniques when present in sperm preparation media.

Trial registration number

SerotoneX