Cover
Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025)

Published: June 30, 2025

Pages: 1-13

Articles

Effects of In vitro sperm activation by a novel combination of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), L-carnitine and Pentoxifylline medium on certain sperm function parameters and DNA normality of asthenozoospermic patients using swim-up technique

Saleem I 1 Abbas A Saad S. Al-Dujaily 2
1Department of Biology, College of Science, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq.
2High Institute of Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq.
History
  • Received: January 7, 2025
  • Accepted: March 30, 2025
  • Available Online: June 8, 2025
DOI

https://doi.org/10.28969/IJEIR.v15.i1.r1.25

Abstract

Infertility is the inability of a sexually active non-contraceptive couple to achieve pregnancy in one year. Sperm motility is one of the most important prerequisites to achieving fertilization and pregnancy . The objective of the current study was to improve certain sperm function parameters following in vitro activation of men suffering from asthenozoospermia by using a novel combination of motility stimulant substances, namely Maca, L-carnitine, and Pentoxifylline, to be used for assisted reproductive technologies programs in the future.Ninety asthenozoospermic patients were involved in the current study. Each sample was divided into two equal portions. One part was considered as a control by using Ham’s F12 medium, and the other part was considered as a treated group by adding medium content, a mixed combination of Maca powder extracts (Lepidium meyenii) (M)1mg/ml, Pentoxifylline (PTX) 10 mg /ml, and L-Carnitine (LC) 0.5mg /. Certain sperm function parameters were examined before and following in vitro preparation using the swim-up technique according to WHO guidelines.The results showed a significant (p<0.001) elevation in active sperm motility grade A, B, and progressive motility following in vitro preparation by Ham’s F12 media and mixed culture medium compared to before activation. The morphologically normal sperm percentage was significantly higher in mixed culture medium compared to control medium, and before activationWhile the results of DNA normality by using mixed culture and Ham’s F12 media were statistically shown a significant (p<0.001) reduction compared with before activation . It is concluded that the combination medium have a superior effects on certain sperm function parameters and DNA normality enhance its usage in sperm activation by swim up technique for ART programs.

Keywords

References

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