[Aspirated sperm activation from deferens in an ionic media similar to seminal plasma]

To compare motility on sperm obtained from the vas deferens and incubated in seminal plasma (PS), a ionic medium similar to seminal plasma (MA) and HTF-HEPES culture medium.

Aspirates from de proximal vas deferens were obtained in eight healthy men during vasectomy and separated in three aliquots (5-6 millions sperm/mL). Aliquots were incubated on PS, MA and HTF-HEPES. Quantitative and qualitative motility were assessed at one hour intervals.

Sperm motility decreased 30% in the 1st hour but at the 3rd hour it increased 70% in aliquots incubated in PS and MA. Straight line velocity (VSL) also increased significatively at the 1st and 3rd hour only in aliquots incubated in PS and MA compared to aliquots incubated in HTF-HEPES (1st hour: p < 0.01; 3rd hour: p < 0.001). Curvilinear velocity (VCL) decreased at 3 hours in aliquots incubated in PS and MA compared to HTF-HEPES (P < 0.001). VCL was lower on aliquots incubated in PS compared to MA (p < 0.01).

Sperm activation occurred in PS and MA at 3 hours. Incubation in HTF-HEPES culture medium resulted in a progressive decrease of sperm motility. This suggests that ionic/osmolar composition of PS is important for sperm activation of sperm obtained from the vas deferens.