ABSTRACT
Abstract Objective: Seminal cryopreservation causes significant damage to the sperm; therefore, different methods of cryopreservation have been studied. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of density gradient processing and washing/centrifugation with seminal plasma removal for cryopreservation in semen parameters. Methods: Seminal samples of 26 normozoospermic patients were divided into 3 parts: with seminal plasma; after washing/centrifugation; and after selection through density gradient. The samples were cryopreserved for at least two weeks. Motility, sperm count, morphology and viability were evaluated before cryopreservation and after thawing. Results: Density gradient processing selected motile and viable sperm with normal morphology in fresh samples (p<0.05). Cryopreservation negatively affected all sperm parameters regardless of the processing performed, and even if the sperm recovery was lower in the density gradient after the thawing, progressive motility, total motility, viability and morphology remained higher (p<0.05). Conclusion: Cryopreservation significantly compromises sperm parameters (motility, morphology, viability). In normozoospermic patients, the density gradients select better quality spermatozoa compared to other processing methods; this benefit was kept after thawing.
ABSTRACT
A infertilidade afeta aproximadamente de 10 a 15% dos casais, sendo que o componente masculino isolado é responsável por 30% das causas de infertilidade conjugal e, em associação com o fator feminino, por mais de 20%. As causas mais comuns de infertilidademasculina relacionam-se à espermatogênese pobre, a maioria de causa inexplicável ou idiopática e devido a causas genéticas. Entre os problemas femininos estão os hormonais, idade avançada, anormalidades, tortuosidades, fimbrias tubais, endometriose e ovário policístico. Os tratamentos para a infertilidade incluem as técnicas de reprodução assistida: ovulação induzida, inseminação artificial, fertilização in vitro e injeção intracitoplasmática de esperma.
Infertility affects nearly 10 to 15% of couples, being the single male factor responsible for 30 % of the matrimonial infertility reasons, and in association with the female factor, for over than 20%. The most common causes of male infertility are related to poor spermatogenesis, most for unexplainable or idiopathic cause, and due to genetic causes. Among the female problems are the hormonal, advanced age, abnormalities, tortuosities and tubal fimbria, endometriosis and polycystic ovary. The therapies to infertility include the assisted reproduction techniques: induced ovulation, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization and sperms intracitoplastic injection.