Page 146 - PRECONGRESS COURSE 01
P. 146
Sperm preparation
The human ejaculate
Human spermatozoa
ESHRE, 2017 Sperm preparation, Nijs M.
Human ejaculate
Complex mixture
Seminal plasma acts as a transport medium for sperm, providing fructose as an energy source, prostaglandins and ions such as sodium and potassium, and anti‐oxidants like ascorbic acid or superoxide dismutase. The seminal plasma also contains decapitation factor’s.
Prostatic secretions are rich in citric acid, zinc, potassium and choline. Zinc serves to help to stabilise the DNA‐containing chromatin in the sperm cells.
Bulbo‐urethral gland contains galactose, sialic acid and the gel‐like fraction.
Spermatozoa present can be mature or immature sperm, motile or immotile sperm, sperm with normal or abnormal morphology, and senescent sperm as well as spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation and/or DNA breaks.
Cells other than spermatozoa can be epithelial cells from the urinary tract, prostate cells, spermatogenic cells, leukocytes, bacteria or viruses.
Reactive oxygen species – ROS either produced by the different germ cells, leukocytes or bacteria; exposure can lead to DNA damage, decreased motility, apoptosis and/or decreased sperm plasma membrane integrity.
ESHRE, 2017 Sperm preparation, Nijs M.
146
Page 142 of 175
