RESUMO
Objective@#The present study assessed the biological characteristics of human spermatozoa at different time intervals (0, 1, 1.5, and 2 hours) after incubation at 37°C. @*Methods@#Twenty-five normozoospermic semen samples were incubated at 37°C. Incubation was performed at four time intervals of 0 (after liquefaction), 1, 1.5, and 2 hours. The samples were evaluated for sperm parameters at each time interval. @*Results@#The rate of sperm progressive motility decreased at 1.5 hours compared to 0 hours as well as 2 hours compared to 1 hour and 0 hours. The rate of non-motile spermatozoa also decreased after 2 hours compared to after 0 hours. No significant changes were observed in sperm viability (p=0.98) and non- progressive motility (p=0.48) at any time intervals. Abnormal sperm morphology increased at 1.5 hours of incubation time (p<0.001). No significant changes were observed in DNA fragmentation at 1 hour compared to 0 hours (median [interquartile range]: 19.5 [4] vs. 19 [4]), as well as at 1.5 hours compared to 1 hour (20 [5]). However, a significant increase in DNA fragmentation was observed at 1.5 hours compared to 0 hours. The mitochondrial membrane potential decreased remarkably after 1 hour of incubation time. No significant differences were observed in the acrosome reaction or malonaldehyde levels at any time point (p=0.34 and p=0.98, respectively). @*Conclusion@#The incubation of normozoospermic samples before use in assisted reproductive technology should be less than 1.5 hours to minimize the destructive effects of prolonged incubation time on general and specific sperm parameters.
RESUMO
Saccharin is an artificial non-caloric sweetener that used to sweeten products such as drinks, candies, medicines, and toothpaste, but our bodies cannot metabolize it. Sodium saccharin is considered as an important factor in tumor promotion in male rats but not in humans. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of saccharin consumption on sperm parameters and apoptosis in adult mice. Totally 14 adult male mice were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 served as control fed on basal diet and group 2 or experimental animals received distilled water containing saccharin [0.2% w/v] for 35 days. After that, the left cauda epididymis of each mouse was cut and placed in Ham's F10. Swimmed-out spermatozoa were used to analyze count, motility, morphology [Pap-staining] and viability [eosin-Y staining]. Sperm DNA integrity, as an indicator of apoptosis, was assessed by SCD [sperm chromatin dispersion] and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase [TUNEL] assay. Following saccharin consumption, we had a reduction in sperm motility with respect to control animals [p=0.000]. In addition, the sperm count diminished [17.70 +/- 1.11 in controls vs. 12.80 +/- 2.79 in case group, p=0.003] and the rate of sperm normal morphology decreased from 77.00 +/- 6.40 in control animals into 63.85 +/- 6.81 in saccharin-treated mice [p=0.001]. Also, we saw a statistically significant increase in rates of sperm DNA damage and apoptosis in experimental group when compared to control one [p=0.001, p=0.002 respectively]. Saccharin consumption may have negative effects on sperm parameters, and increases the rate of sperm DNA fragmentation and apoptosis in mice