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Leptin Improves Sperm Cryopreservation via Antioxidant Defense
Paula Fontoura1, Mariana Duque Mello2, Paulo Gallo-Sá2
1University Hospital Pedro Ernesto, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Journal of Reproduction & Infertility
|April 6, 2017
Summary
Cryopreservation increases sperm DNA fragmentation. Adding leptin to capacitated sperm before freezing significantly reduces DNA fragmentation and enhances antioxidant enzymes, improving sperm DNA quality after thawing.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Sperm Cryopreservation
- Oxidative Stress
Background:
- Leptin and its receptor are found in spermatozoa, but their role in sperm function remains debated.
- Cryopreservation is known to impact sperm quality, including DNA integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effect of cryopreservation on sperm DNA fragmentation (DNAf).
- To investigate the impact of sperm capacitation and in vitro leptin incubation on frozen-thawed sperm DNAf and oxidative stress.
Main Methods:
- Sperm samples from 45 normospermic men were cryopreserved with or without prior capacitation and leptin incubation.
- Sperm DNA fragmentation was assessed using the Sperm Chromatin Dispersion Assay.
- Oxidative stress parameters were measured, and statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in sperm DNAf was observed post-thaw compared to fresh samples.
- Sperm capacitation before freezing significantly reduced DNAf.
- Leptin addition to capacitated sperm pre-freezing decreased DNAf and increased antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase).
Conclusions:
- Leptin addition to capacitated sperm improves sperm DNA quality after cryopreservation.
- This improvement may be mediated by enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes, counteracting oxidative stress during freezing.