Coconut water improves the human sperm quality following freezing-thawing Process
Background: Stresses caused by the freezing/thawing process may alter the spermatozoa's lipid content in the plasma membrane, leading to elevated levels of oxidative stress. Cryopreserved spermatozoa may recover more quickly from oxidative damage if antioxidants are added to the cryosolution. Objectives: To determine whether coconut water (CW) has any effect on the quality of human sperm after the freezing/thawing process. Methodology: This study included 70 semen samples from men who met the World Health Organization's 2010 criteria for normozoospermia. After seminal fluid analysis, sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), and mitochondrial function were measured. Each sample was cryopreserved with three different concentrations of CW (P1-P3): P1: Only SpermFreezTM –a glycerol-containing cryosolution- (zero- CW). P2: SpermFreezTM and 5% CW. P3: SpermFreezTM and 10% CW. Post-thawing samples were tested for sperm motility, SDF, and mitochondrial activity after a month of vapor-dependent cryopreservation. Results: Total and progressive motility and mitochondrial function were reduced significantly post-thawing compared to fresh samples, while the SDF statistically increased (P < 0.05). Among post-thawing groups, the additive of CW significantly improves motility, SDF, and mitochondrial function compared to the zero-CW group (p<0.05). Furthermore, the additive of 10% CW increased motility and decreased SDF significantly compared to 5% CW, while there was no significant difference observed between 5% and 10% CW regarding mitochondrial function. Conclusion: The addition of coconut water to cryosolution (SpermFreezTM) improves motility, DNA integrity, and mitochondrial function in human spermatozoa post-cryopreservation.