Protective effect of antioxidant supplementation
in sperm-preparation medium against oxidative stress
in human spermatozoa
H.J. Chi1, J.H. Kim, C.S. Ryu, J.Y. Lee, J.S. Park, D.Y. Chung, S.Y. Choi, M.H. Kim,
E.K. Chun and S.I. Roh
ART Research Center, Mizmedi Hospital, 701-4, Naebalsan-dong, Kangseo-gu, Seoul, Korea
1Correspondence address. Tel: þ82-22007-1840; Fax: þ82-22007-1852;
BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with an impaired fertilization
ability of spermatozoa. We investigated the effects of adding antioxidants to a sperm preparation medium on the
functional parameters of the spermatozoa. METHODS: Spermatozoa were washed with Ham’s F-10 media containing
the antioxidants, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and catalase, at various concentrations, and then the ROS
levels in sperm suspensions, and the forward motility, acrosome reaction, DNA integrity and lipid peroxidation of the
spermatozoa were assessed. RESULTS: The ROS levels were significantly lower in sperm suspensions washed with the
antioxidants (196312 rlu; relative light units) than in control sperm (604 rlu, P < 0.05). The addition of 10 mM
EDTA to the sperm preparation medium significantly improved the motility of the spermatozoa compared with the
control group, the groups containing EDTA at other concentrations and the groups containing catalase. Catalase
significantly increased the acrosome reaction rate of the spermatozoa. Both EDTA and catalase significantly decreased
the DNA fragmentation rate of the spermatozoa. However, the antioxidants did not reduce lipid peroxidation.
CONCLUSIONS: Supplementing sperm preparation medium with EDTA or catalase significantly improved the
overall functional parameters of the spermatozoa by reducing the ROS levels.