Ceratonia siliqua L improved cryodamage of asthenozoospermic specimens: An experimental study

Sperm freezing is an important procedure in assisted reproductive technology. Freezing results in physical and chemical changes in the sperm. Ceratonia siliqua L (C.siliqua) is a tree that has antioxidant properties.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of different concentrations of C.siliqua in a freezing medium on semen parameters, and some biochemical parameters in asthenozoospermic specimens.

40 asthenozoospermic specimens (semen specimens with motility < 32%) were obtained from men aged between 20-40 yr according to the World Health Organization criteria. Each sample was divided into 6 groups: I) fresh, II) control, III) 5, IV) 10, V) 20, and VI) 30 µg/ml C.siliqua extract were added to a freezing medium respectively. Then sperm parameters, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, reactive oxygen species, and sperm DNA assay were evaluated using related protocols after thawing.

Data analysis shows that sperm parameter, and total antioxidant capacity level increased at a concentration of 20 µg/ml of C. siliqua extract compared to the other concentrations of C.siliqua extract after cryopreservation and thawing (p < 0.001). Also, the sperm DNA fragmentation assay, reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde levels were significantly reduced by adding 20 µg/ml of C. siliqua extract to the sperm freezing medium compared to the other treated groups after cryopreservation (p < 0.001).

C.siliqua extract significantly improved sperm parameters after cryopreservation and thawing in asthenozoospermic specimens, and the greatest impact was observed at the 20 µg/ml C.siliqua L extract concentration (p < 0.001).