Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of ascorbic acid-2-glucoside (AA2G) supplementation in cryomedium to improve human sperm motility preservation through the freeze-thaw process.
Design: Prospective research study.
Setting: University-based andrology laboratory.
Patient(s): One hundred thirty-four patients attending the andrology laboratory for a regular semen analysis between April 2009 and May 2010.
Intervention(s): Supplementation of cryomedium with ascorbate or AA2G.
Main outcome measure(s): Endogenous semen ascorbic acid concentrations, semen lipid peroxidation levels, progressive sperm motility.
Result(s): AA2G-supplemented samples showed improved sperm motility preservation after freezing compared with control samples. No significant difference was found in motility preservation between control samples and those supplemented with ascorbate.
Conclusion(s): Our data indicate that AA2G confers a protective effect on human sperm motility preservation through the freeze-thaw cycle. This same effect was not seen with ascorbate. Further investigation is required to elucidate a concrete mechanism of action.
Copyright © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.