Release of copper from CuT 380A co-incubated with human semen and its effect on sperm function in vitro.

Release of copper and its effect on functional integrity of human sperms in vitro were assessed following co-incubation of semen with CuT 380A. After 30 min of incubation with semen, release of copper ions from CuT 380A was found to be 9.2 to 40 times higher compared to control incubations with PBS. Sperm function tests, when simultaneously performed following loss of motility in sperms (>95%) after 120 min of copper exposure, depicted a significant (P<0.001) reduction in sperm viability and hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) response. However, the affected sperm populations revealed no significant alterations in other functional tests like acrosomal status or nuclear chromatin decondensation. It is therefore concluded that the high release of copper from CuT 380A drastically lowers sperm motility. viability and HOS response but only marginally affects the acrosome status or nuclear chromatin condensation in short term incubations.

Time And Temperature Effects On In-Vitro Sperm Chromatin and Stability.

Semen samples were collected both from men with or without children. Sperm wash preparations were made and the samples were studied at different temperatures and times of incubations for genome packaging efficiency. It is found that sperm chromatin decondensation study could be optimised with SDS reagent if the temperature was 37 degrees and time of incubation was 30 minutes. Similarly, SDS & EDTA, optimum time was 15 minutes at body temperature, thus affecting results of the study. Below, the body temperature the reaction is slow and does not mimick the in-vivo process.