| خلاصه مقاله | Introduction: Sperm freezing can increase oxidative stress, making sperm more susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and chilling injuries. This study aimed to investigate the impact of canthaxanthin, a carotenoid with antioxidant properties, on human sperm parameters following the freeze-thaw process.
Method: Several normozoospermic semen samples were collected and processed using the swim-up method. The supernatant containing motile sperm was divided into eight groups and treated with various concentrations of canthaxanthin (0, 10, 20, 40, 50, 60, 70, 100 μM) for 15 minutes. The samples were then frozen and thawed after 4 weeks, and the effectiveness of each treatment was assessed by measuring sperm motility, vitality, and morphology.
Results: Incubation of sperm with 50, 60, 70, and 100 μM canthaxanthin, in comparison to the control group (0 μM), significantly improved progressive motility (9.85±2.05, 9.29±3.41, 11.43±3.08, and 10.35±2.19) vs. (6.71±1.15) and total motility (59.35±6.18, 62.18±8.32, 60.84±4.25, and 55.91±6.47) vs. (46.12±5.15) after thawing. Additionally, the addition of 50, 60, and 70 μM canthaxanthin to the media resulted in a significant increase in sperm vitality compared to the control group (62.11±5.06, 60.74±4.93, and 57.21±3.25) vs. (47.81±6.52) after the freeze-thaw process. However, different concentrations of canthaxanthin had no significant effects on sperm morphology compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Canthaxanthin, as an antioxidant, can significantly reduce the harmful effects of cryopreservation on sperm parameters. The addition of canthaxanthin to sperm samples during the freeze-thaw process can potentially improve post-thaw sperm quality, particularly in terms of motility and vitality. |