Alpha-lipoic acid minimises reactive oxygen species-induced damages during sperm processing

Shearing forces during sperm preparation for assisted reproduction techniques may lead to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which may have an unpleasant effect on embryonic development. In the current study, we assessed the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on ROS-induced damages during sperm preparation process. Semen samples were collected from 15 normozoospermic men. Each semen sample was divided into two parts; one part was washed and centrifuged with sperm washing medium plus 0.02 mM ALA. Then, sperm pellet was diluted and incubated for 1 hr at 37°C in sperm washing media in the absence (ALA-) or presence of 0.02 mM ALA (ALA+). The second part was washed and centrifuged with sperm washing media in the absence of ALA, and then, sperm pellet was incubated for 1 hr at 37°C in sperm washing media in the absence (ALA-) or presence of 0.02 mM ALA (ALA+). Sperm viability, motility, intracellular oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation were assessed by eosin-nigrosin, computer-assisted sperm analysis system, H₂ DCFDA staining and acridine orange staining respectively. Our results showed that addition of ALA as a fat- and water-soluble antioxidant to sperm washing media maintains sperm viability and motility by reduction in ROS production and can also protect sperm DNA integrity.