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Supplementation of biotin to sperm preparation medium increases the motility and longevity in cryopreserved human spermatozoa

  • Gamete Biology
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To study the effect of supplementing biotin to sperm preparation medium on the motility of frozen-thawed spermatozoa.

Methods

Semen samples of men attending the University infertility clinic (n = 105) were cryopreserved using glycerol-egg yolk-citrate buffered cryoprotective medium in liquid nitrogen. After a period of two weeks, the semen samples were thawed and the motile spermatozoa were extracted by swim-up technique using Earle’s balanced salt solution (EBSS) medium supplemented with either biotin (10 nM) or pentoxifylline (1 mM). The post-wash motility was observed up to 4 h after incubation.

Results

Both biotin and pentoxifylline supplementation resulted in significant increase in total motility (p < 0.05), progressive motility (p < 0.001) and rapid progressive motility (p < 0.05 v/s biotin and p < 0.01 v/s pentoxifylline) compared to the control at 1 h post-incubation period. Significantly higher percentage of total (p < 0.01, p < 0.05 in biotin and pentoxifylline respectively), progressive (p < 0.001) and rapid progressive motilities (p < 0.01) were observed in these two groups even at 2 h compared to the control. In the control group at 4 h after incubation, ~11% decline in total motility and ~8% decline in progressive motility was observed. However, in both biotin and pentoxifylline group the motility was significantly higher than control (p < 0.001). No significant difference in the motility was observed between biotin and pentoxifylline groups at any of the time intervals studied.

Conclusions

Biotin can enhance the sperm motility and prolong the survival of frozen-thawed semen samples which may have potential benefit in assisted reproductive technology field.

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Acknowledgments

Authors kindly acknowledge the technical support provided by Mrs. Jalyalaxmi Pai, Mrs. Kirthi Patil, and Ms. Anita Poojary. Authors thank Dr. Prashanth Naik and Mr. Naveenchandra Kumar, Mangalore University for editing the language of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Embryology, Division of Reproductive Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, 576 104, India

    Guruprasad Kalthur, Sujith R Salian, Farid Keyvanifard, Shyam Sreedharan, Jeena S Thomas, Pratap Kumar & Satish K Adiga

  2. Clinical Embryology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, 576 104, India

    Guruprasad Kalthur

Authors
  1. Guruprasad Kalthur
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  2. Sujith R Salian
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  3. Farid Keyvanifard
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  4. Shyam Sreedharan
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  5. Jeena S Thomas
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  6. Pratap Kumar
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  7. Satish K Adiga
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Correspondence to Guruprasad Kalthur.

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Capsule

Biotin supplementation to sperm wash medium can enhance the sperm motility and prolong the sperm survival.

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Kalthur, G., Salian, S.R., Keyvanifard, F. et al. Supplementation of biotin to sperm preparation medium increases the motility and longevity in cryopreserved human spermatozoa. J Assist Reprod Genet 29, 631–635 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-012-9760-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-012-9760-8

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