Effect of Different Metformin Doses on Post Thawing Human Sperm Motility and DNA Integrity

Abstract

Overview: Cryopreservation can cause permanent damage to sperm such as reduced motility, affect DNA integrity, acrosomal damage and plasma membrane deterioration. To improve spermatozoa function post thawing, several additives have been added into cryopreservation media and found to positively effect on viability and DNA integrity of frozen sperm. The current study was conducted for the inspection of using metformin as an additive to soothe the deleterious effect of cryodamage on sperm motility post thawing.

Method: Sixty-four semen sample from normozoospermic male used and all tested for DNA integrity. Each sample divided into three portions (control, 2.5 µM and 0.5 µM metformin). The control portion cryopreserved directly, while the other portions incubated for 30 minutes with metformin. Then, cryopreserved in LN2 for 48 hours. After thawing semen analysis and DNA integrity were done for each portion.

Results: There was a significant improvement in post thaw sperm parameters regarding motility and DNA integrity when used 0.5 µM compared to control group, while 2.5 µM showed no improvement compared with the control group.

Conclusion: Adding metformin (0.5 µM) as an additive to cryopreservation protocol improves semen parameters post thawing regarding motility and DNA integrity compared to the routine freezing protocol. While (2.5 µM) showed no effect on sperm.