An of Investigating the antioxidant effect of melatonin on motility, ROS and malondialdehyde in cryo-preserved human sperms

Oxidative damage to sperm resulting from reactive oxygen radicals and lipid peroxidation generated by the cellular components of semen during sperm freezing is possibly one of the main causes of the decline in motility during storage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect of melatonin in different doses on oxidative stress and motility of cryo-preserved human sperms.

After collection of sperm from 13 donors, the specimens were divided into equal 6 aliquots. One aliquot was used as a specimen of fresh unfrozen sperms. Freezing procedures were done for 4 aliquots in presence of melatonin in four different doses (1, 0.1, 0.01, 0.001 mM), one freezing medium did not contain melatonin. After thawing and preparation of frozen specimens computed analysis and CASA program were used to analyze the motility of sperm. Free Oxygen radicals and malondialdehyde were measured by ELISA analysis kit. Results were assessed using ANOVA method.

Freezing process has a negative effect on sperm parameters. We found that melatonin in freezing media can reduce the amount of free oxygen radicals and malondialdehyde. Our results showed that 0.01 mM melatonin improves the motility of cryo-preserved sperms.

Melatonin prevents the production of ROS and stops the lipid peroxidation process of sperms membrane during freezing preservation. Only 0.01 mM of melatonin improves the motility of sperms.