In vitro effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma on H₂ O₂ -induced oxidative stress in human spermatozoa

Among new therapies emerging in the medical field, the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in human reproduction has not yet been explored.

This study aimed at investigating the effect of autologous PRP on sperm parameters in the presence and absence of H₂ O₂ .

Semen samples were collected from 30 healthy men in their fourth decade attending Azoury IVF clinic. Spermatozoa, cultured in the presence or absence of 10 μM H₂ O₂ , were left untreated or treated with increasing concentrations of PRP (2, 5, and 10%). After 24-h incubation, ROS levels were assessed and sperm parameters were evaluated.

Our results highlight the harmful effect of H₂ O₂ on sperm parameters, showing an increase in the percentage of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-positive cells, vacuolization, and sperm DNA fragmentation, and a decrease in progressive and total motility in the H₂ O₂ -treated group compared to non-stressed spermatozoa. When samples were treated with PRP, an improvement of the studied parameters was noted mainly with 2% PRP, thus regarded as the best concentration to achieve a positive effect on sperm parameters. Indeed, non-stressed and stressed spermatozoa treated with 2% PRP showed a significant increase in progressive and total motility, coupled with a decrease in ROS-positive cells, DNA fragmentation, vacuolization, and dead cells compared to the untreated group. In contrast, no significant difference in cell morphology was found between the two groups. Moreover, 2% PRP treatment enhanced sperm parameters and prevented cell death in H₂ O₂ -exposed spermatozoa as compared to freshly collected semen.

We suggest that PRP because of its wide arrays of growth factors included in his alpha granules contributes to the inhibition of ROS through the antioxidant, anti-apoptotic activity.

Autologous PRP improves the quality of the sperm, more so in the presence of an H₂ O₂ -induced OS.