SPERM KINEMATICS OF CRYOPRESERVED NORMOZOOSPERMIC SPECIMENS AFTER ARTIFICIAL STIMULATION

Objectives. Cryopreservation of semen is associated with reduced motil ity after thawing, resulting in a decreased pregnancy rate. Artificial stimulation of motility has been used in fresh semen samples. This st udy measured the effect of motility stimulants on various motion chara cteristics and other sperm functions using cryopreserved semen. Method s. Frozen semen samples from healthy donors were thawed, and motility stimulants were added in vitro and incubated for 60 minutes. The perce ntages of motile spermatozoa in each specimen and other motion charact eristics were measured. In addition, spermatozoon's viability, membran e integrity, and ability to penetrate bovine cervical mucus were studi ed after addition of stimulants. Results. Percentage motility and all other motion characteristics improved after stimulation with pentoxify lline, caffeine, or 2-deoxyadenosine. Linearity did not significantly differ in the control samples after adding any of the stimulants. Viab ility, membrane integrity, and penetration ability did not improve sig nificantly and were comparable with control values. Conclusions. Pento xifylline, caffeine, and 2-deoxyadenosine can stimulate sperm motility and other motion characteristics. This may be beneficial in the cryop reservation of sperm from normal donors and oligozoospermic patients f or use in assisted reproduction.