153 Effects of ewe age on oocyte viability and timing of early embryo cleavage

In vitro cultivation systems for oocytes and embryos are characterised by increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can be balanced by the addition of suitable antioxidants. S-allyl cysteine (SAC) is a sulfur compound naturally occurring in garlic (Allium sativum), which is responsible for its high antioxidant properties. In this study, we demonstrated the capacity of SAC (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mM) to reduce levels of ROS in maturing oocytes significantly after 24 (reduced by 90.33, 82.87 and 91.62%, respectively) and 48 h (reduced by 86.35, 94.42 and 99.05%, respectively) cultivation, without leading to a disturbance of the standard course of meiotic maturation. Oocytes matured in the presence of SAC furthermore maintained reduced levels of ROS even 22 h after parthenogenic activation (reduced by 66.33, 61.64 and 57.80%, respectively). In these oocytes we also demonstrated a growth of early embryo cleavage rate (increased by 33.34, 35.00 and 35.00%, respectively). SAC may be a valuable supplement to cultivation media.

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Early embryo cleavage and day 2 mononucleation after intracytoplasmatic sperm injection for predicting embryo implantation potential in single embryo transfer cycles

Fertility and Sterility ◽

10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.02.037 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 89 (2) ◽

pp. 475-477 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Per Sundström ◽

Pia Saldeen

Keyword(s):

Embryo Transfer ◽

Embryo Implantation ◽

Early Embryo ◽

Single Embryo Transfer ◽

Intracytoplasmatic Sperm Injection ◽

Embryo Cleavage

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216.The effects of Viagra on sperm function and early embryo development

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/srb04abs216 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 16 (9) ◽

pp. 216

Author(s):

S. E. M. Lewis ◽

D. R. J. Glenn ◽

N. McClure

Keyword(s):

Semen Analysis ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor ◽

Fluorescein Isothiocyanate ◽

Human Sperm ◽

Blastocyst Stage ◽

Early Embryo ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Sperm Function ◽

Embryo Cleavage

In an audit of UK fertility units, we have demonstrated that 42% prescribe Viagra to aid patient semen production. Viagra is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE5) and as non-specific PDEs have been shown to affect fertility, safety concerns have been raised. The aims of this study are to investigate the effects of Viagra on sperm function and early embryo cleavage. Human semen was incubated with and without Viagra (450�ng/mL sildenafil citrate, equivalent to plasma concentrations after 100�mg oral dose; Pfizer, UK). Aliquots were also prepared by a 90/45% density centrifugation gradient to separate good and poor subpopulations. All samples were analysed by computer assisted semen analysis (HTM-IVOS) up to 60 and 120�min. Prepared samples were also labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate–peanut agglutinin to determine acrosome status. Male mice were gavaged with Viagra (equivalent dose/body wt) and mated with superovulating females. Twenty females were sacrificed 12�h later, their oviducts flushed and viable fertilized oocytes counted. Another 20 females were sacrificed 4�days after mating and their embryo numbers and cleavage stages determined. Viagra increased % progressive motility in semen (n�=�22) by 38%, VAP by 21%, VSL by 21% and VCL by 16% at 60�min (all P values <0.001). These effects were sustained at 120�min. Sperm isolated from 90% (n�=�57) and 45% (n�=�15) fractions showed similar increases. Viagra also increased the proportion of acrosome reacted sperm in the 90% (+79%, P�<�0.001) and 45% (+77%, P�<�0.001) fractions. Further, Viagra caused a reduction in both the numbers of fertilised oocytes (–35%, P�<�0.001) and those reaching blastocyst stage (85%, P�<�0.001). This study demonstrates that Viagra increases human sperm motility. However, Viagra induces human premature acrosome reactions and impairs mouse fertilisation and embryo cleavage. This study raises significant concerns for its use in assisted reproduction.

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