Goujet Hamza, Kaarouch Ismail, Malki Abderrahim, Mbaye Modou Mamoune, Cabry Rosalie, Louanjli Noureddine, Rhouda Taha, Benkhalifa Moncef
Laboratory of Physiopathology and Molecular Genetics, Ben M'Sik Faculty of Sciences, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca 20670, Morocco.
Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Biology and Genetics, Peritox Laboratory, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Picardie University Jules Verne, 80054 Amiens, France.
Antioxidants (Basel). 2025 Jan 10;14(1):75. doi: 10.3390/antiox14010075.
Sperm cryopreservation provides patients undergoing oncological, surgical, or infertility treatments the opportunity to conceive their own children, using assisted reproductive technologies. However, the freezing-thawing process can negatively influence both the quantity and the quality of spermatozoa, mainly due to an excessive production of reactive oxygen species and/or an impaired antioxidant defense system in sperm. Aromatic and medicinal plants synthesize essential oils with antioxidant proprieties as a part of their ecological adaptation to environmental stress, thanks to their rich bioactive phytochemical components. This study aimed to assess sperm progressive motility, viability, plasma membrane functionality, and lipid peroxidation levels of human cryopreserved normozoospermic (n = 51) and asthenozoospermic (n = 51) samples without or with the addition of (TSEO) (20 µg/mL), (AVEO) (48 µg/mL), and (ROEO) (13 µg/mL) essential oils. Sperm parameters were significantly better preserved with ROEO in both normozoospermic ( < 0.05) and asthenozoospermic samples ( < 0.01). In contrast, TSEO had a negative impact for both groups ( < 0.05). Meanwhile, no significant effects were observed with AVEO. In summary, the study revealed that in vitro addition of essential oils as antioxidant agents during cryopreservation can be either beneficial, which helps preserve sperm parameters and fertilizing potential, or detrimental as spermicidal agents.
精子冷冻保存为接受肿瘤、外科手术或不孕症治疗的患者提供了利用辅助生殖技术孕育自己孩子的机会。然而，冻融过程会对精子的数量和质量产生负面影响，主要原因是精子中活性氧的过量产生和/或抗氧化防御系统受损。芳香植物和药用植物合成具有抗氧化特性的精油，这是它们通过丰富的生物活性植物化学成分来适应环境压力的一种生态适应方式。本研究旨在评估在不添加或添加麝香草精油（TSEO）（20微克/毫升）、苦艾精油（AVEO）（48微克/毫升）和迷迭香叶精油（ROEO）（13微克/毫升）的情况下，人类冷冻保存的正常精子样本（n = 51）和弱精子症样本（n = 51）的精子前向运动能力、活力、质膜功能和脂质过氧化水平。在正常精子样本（P < 0.05）和弱精子症样本（P < 0.01）中，添加ROEO后精子参数均得到显著更好的保存。相比之下，TSEO对两组均有负面影响（P < 0.05）。同时，未观察到AVEO有显著影响。总之，该研究表明，在冷冻保存过程中体外添加精油作为抗氧化剂可能是有益的，有助于保存精子参数和受精潜力，也可能像杀精剂一样有害。
