ENHANCED RECRUITMENT OF MOTILE SPERMATOZOA BY PROSTASOME INCLUSION IN SWIM-UP MEDIUM

Prostasomes, which are prostate-derived organelles, were purified from human seminal plasma for inclusion in Earle's balanced salt solution (EBSS) medium with or without human serum albumin. These media were used for swim-up experiments and the subsequent analyses of sperm motility parameters at different incubation times. The yield of motile spermatozoa after swim-up in EBSS medium enriched with boiled prostasomes was increased by 32% compared with EBSS containing albumin. Native prostasomes were less active. Combinations of albumin and either prostasomes or boiled prostasomes significantly increased the recovery of motile spermatozoa and also increased the percentage of spermatozoa displaying progressive motility after 1 h of incubation, Media lacking albumin showed lower values regarding progressive motility after 22 h of incubation. A beneficial effect of prostasomes was noted on lateral head displacement and percentage of hyperactive spermatozoa during the first 6 h of incubation. These results suggest that inclusion of prostasomes, especially boiled prostasomes, in swim-up media may improve the recovery of hyperactive motile spermatozoa for up to 6 h in cases of established male factor infertility, and consequently increase the opportunities for fertilization.