Conservative Effect of Novel Antioxidant L-Ergothioneine on the Sperm Functional and Mitochondrial Integrity In Normozoospermic Samples Post Thaw

The objective of the present study was to assess the conservative effects of pre-freeze supplementation of L-Ergothioneine (EGT) in the cryomedia, on the post thaw mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and its associated functional parameters such as the motility, ability to undergo capacitation and acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa. Although sperm cryopreservation is an established technique, it is known to result in reduction of the above listed factors which would negatively affect the embryo quality and probability of blastocyst formation. EGT being an antioxidant, elucidates action against the ROS produced due to cryopreservation. In the present study, 400 normozoospermic semen samples were cryopreserved with (Test) and without (Control) EGT supplementation. Clinically relevant: Semen analysis (WHO 2010), invitro fertilization ability assessment (Chlortetracyclin Immunofluorescence study), MMP assessment (JC-1 immunofluorescence study) and Lipid peroxidation status (Malondialdehyde concentration assessment) were performed in both fresh and frozen thawed samples. It was seen that with the increase in ROS production due to cryopreservation, there is a significant decrease in the post thaw sperm quality and its mitochondrial integrity (Fresh vs Control: p