Evaluation of Sperm Parameters and DNA Integrity Following Different Incubation Times in PVP Medium

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is a chemical material used in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) pro-gram. The aim of this study was to investigate the ideal time that sperm can be safely incubated in PVP with less structure and DNA damage.

Thirty-one Oligoasthenoteratospermia (OAT) samples were used. Sperm samples were prepared by dis-continuous density-gradients method and incubated in 10% PVP at different time intervals (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 min). The effect of PVP was assessed on sperm DNA fragmentation and viability via SCD assay and Eosin–ni-grosin staining respectively.

Data showed there was a significant increase in sperm DNA fragmentation at 10 min compared to 0 min. The viability rate also significantly reduced at 10 min compared to 0 min.

As a result, sperm samples could be incubated with PVP for less than 10 min. While prolonged in-cubation may significantly damage the sperm DNA integrity and viability.