Assessment of the changing trend of different kinds of sperm motility during the storage of normozoospermic men’s semen samples at 4-6 ºC

Abstract

Background: Sperm motility has a basic role in male fertility. The aim of this study was to assess the changing trend of different types of sperm motility during the storage of normozoospermic men's semen samples in refrigerator (4-6 °C) Methods: In this experimental study, 13 washed semen samples of normozoospermic men were kept in refrigerator (4-6 °C) for 12 days. At 0 (immediately after sampling as control group), 1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th, and 12th days, the proportions of fast progressive, slow progressive, non-progressive and immotile sperm cells were calculated. Findings: The percentages of different kinds of motile spermatozoa decreased with a gentle slope (P < 0.001) during 12 days of storage in refrigerator (4-6 °C). In addition, the proportion of motile spermatozoa decreased significantly after 48 hours and there was no motile sperm after 12 days of keeping semen sample in refrigerator. Conclusion: This study suggests that after 12 days of keeping semen sample in refrigerator, no motile sperm can be found in culture medium and more motile spermatozoa can be retrieved up to first 48 hours. © 2017, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All Rights Reserved.