Application of testosterone supplementation in semen to improve sperm motility in asthenozoospermic males.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of different concentrations and durations of seminal testosterone supplementation upon the motility of sperm from asthenozoospermic males.

METHODS

Semen was collected from 41 infertile men with asthenozoospermia. After liquefaction, 200 μL was extracted from each semen sample and divided equally into five groups for a negative control, a vehicle control, and three experimental portions mixed with 4.75, 7.75, and 17.75 nmol/L of testosterone, respectively. The sperm motility was evaluated at 5, 15, 30, and 45 min following the addition of testosterone. The supernatant from remaining samples were sent for testosterone assay. Sperm viability was also evaluated after 45 min.

RESULTS

There was no difference in the number of samples in each group which showed a 20% improvement in sperm motility. Group 3 showed a significant retardation in the reduction of motility compared with Group 5 (P < 0.05). Semen samples with a final testosterone concentration of 4.51-10 nmol/L showed a significant improvement in sperm motility when measured 5 min after addition. In contrast, samples showing a rise in testosterone level above 10 nmol/L were associated with a reduction in both sperm motility and viability.

CONCLUSION

Despite sperm motility decreasing over time, supplementation of semen samples with 4.75 nmol/L of testosterone could delay such reduction. A final seminal testosterone concentration of 4.51-10 nmol/L appears to be optimal for the best sperm motility.