Improvement of human sperm properties with platelet-rich plasma as a cryoprotectant supplement

Platelet-rich plasma: A promising therapy for mitigating sperm oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in subfertile men

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a pioneering therapy widely used in various medical fields, showing promising outcomes. However, its impact on human sperm quality remains poorly explored among emerging therapies. This study aims to investigate the effect of autologous PRP supplementation on oxidative stress levels and mitochondrial activity in human sperm. PRP was freshly prepared from venous blood and added to each ejaculated semen sample at different concentrations of 2%, 5%, and 10%. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in spermatozoa were measured after 24 hours of incubation at 37° (5% CO2), using nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) test. The MTT test was used to measure the mitochondrial succinate deshydrogenase activity. A total of 180 semen samples were obtained from 15 patients. The supplementation with PRP significantly reduced the reactive oxidative species levels and improved mitochondrial activity in spermatozoa. The level of oxidative stress in sperm was significantly decreased after 24h of incubation with PRP at 2% (p = 0.001), 5% (p = 0.001) and 10% (p = 0.001) when compared to the control group. The succinate dehydrogenase activity was enhanced in the three groups when compared to the control group. It increased from 0.667 ± 0.313 to 0.952 ± 0.499 (p = 0.018), 1.201 ± 0.657 (p = 0.002) and 1.159 ± 0.607 (p = 0.001) after incubation with 2%, 5% and 10% of PRP, respectively. This study has shown that PRP supplementation could be a promising tool to enhance sperm quality against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. These findings could be a starting point to investigate the usefulness of PRP in ART procedures.

The Effect of Scrotal PRP Injection on Testes Function and Spermatogenesis Resumed in Azoospermia Mice Model Caused by Chronic Hyperthermia

Infertility is an important health concern that affects around 15% of couples, 40-50% of infertile cases are because of malefactors. Azoospermia is known as one of the important causes of male infertility. PRP is an autologous source of growth factors used in various therapeutic strategies. In the present study, PRP was injected into mice scrotum, after induced azoospermia caused by scrotal hyperthermia, and then therapeutic effects were evaluated. 24 adult male mice were divided into 4 groups: Control, Azoospermia (model induced by scrotal hyperthermia every other day after anesthesia for 35 days), and ketamine/xylazine (Ket/Xi) (to assess the probable effect of anesthesia), PRP (injected 10ul of PRP in the scrotum of azoospermia mice) after 16 days animals were anesthetized and sacrificed. Plasma testosterone, seminiferous diameter, oxidative stress, and sperm parameters were evaluated. Plasma testosterone level in the Azoospermia group significantly decreased and PRP treatment improved it. Also, the testicular tissue showed impairment, and oxidative stress levels increased in the testes in the Azoospermia group and PRP treatment ameliorated them. Spermatogenesis completely arrested after scrotal hyperthermia that after treatment with PRP, resumed. PRP injection in the scrotum resumed spermatogenesis and increased the production of testosterone, reduced the oxidative stress level in the testicular tissue, and resumed sperm production. PRP shows promise in promoting testicular recovery following hyperthermia-induced damage.

Evaluation of the effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) on the sperm parameters

OBJECTIVE

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been widely used to treat women with infertility but is rarely used in men with similar conditions. Several studies have shown that PRP contains a large spectrum of growth factors that may benefit sperm, but the application of PRP in sperm processing techniques has not been examined completely yet. This study aimed to investigate the effect of adding PRP supplementation to human semen in the incubation and swim-up processes and evaluate the sperm parameters after PRP addition.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The current experimental study has included 80 semen samples. The semen samples were collected from 40 men with asthenoteratozoospermia and 40 normozoospermic men. The study was conducted at the Infertility Center of Taleghani Hospital from October 2023 to April 2024, and the role of PRP on sperm parameters was tested based on WHO guidelines. Each sample was divided into two equal parts. The first one, as a control, received no platelet-rich plasma, and the second sample portion was added directly to 2 % concentrations of platelet-rich plasma. The incubation and swim-up processes were performed in two groups, and sperm parameters were compared between samples incubated with PRP and samples without PRP treatment.

RESULTS

After incubation, the results of normal samples showed a significant rise in sperm total and progressive motility. However, the increasing effect on sperm non-progressive motility and viability was not substantial. The asthenoteratozoospermic samples showed a significant rise in sperm total, progressive, and non-progressive motility, but the increasing effect on sperm viability was not significant. After swim-up, the results of normal samples showed a significant rise in concentration and sperm total and progressive motility but the rise in sperm non-progressive motility and morphology was not significant. The results in samples with the asthenoteratozoospermic group showed a significant rise in concentration, total motility, progressive motility, and non-progressive motility but the rise in sperm morphology was not significant.

CONCLUSION

These results show that PRP has effectively improved human sperm quality. So we can suggest that incubation and swim-up of semen samples with PRP may be considered as a new treatment option for men with infertility undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Platelet-rich plasma: A bibliometric and visual analysis from 2000 to 2022

BACKGROUND

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an integral biotherapeutic modality with evolving significance in the medical domain. Despite its expanding applications, a comprehensive bibliometric evaluation is essential to understand its development and impact.

METHODS

The Web of Science core collection subject search identified articles pertinent to PRP applications. Analytical tools, including CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Bibliometrix (R-Tool for R-Studio), TBtools, SCImago Graphica, Origin, and Excel, facilitated the bibliometric scrutiny. This examination spanned dimensions ranging from geographical and institutional contributions to thematic shifts and keyword prevalence.

RESULTS

A corpus of 5167 publications was analyzed, with the United States, particularly the Hospital for Special Surgery, emerging as major contributors. The American Journal of Sports Medicine was identified as the primary journal, and Anitua Eduardo as the leading author in the domain. Keyword analysis highlighted evolving research themes, with a shift from traditional applications in orthopedics and dentistry to emerging areas such as dermatology, aesthetics, and chronic pain management.

CONCLUSION

The bibliometric analysis of PRP research reveals a multifaceted array of applications across various medical disciplines and highlights areas requiring further exploration, particularly in standardization, personalization, and safety. Future advancements in PRP research will necessitate innovative exploration, ethical considerations, and rigorous scientific validation to fully harness the therapeutic potential of PRP and related therapies.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy in erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's disease: a systematic review of the literature

PURPOSE

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a regenerative therapy has gained interest in the field of andrology for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and Peyronie's disease (PD). This systematic review aims to critically evaluate the current evidence on the use of PRP for these conditions.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature search according to the PRISMA guidelines using PubMed and Scopus databases in December 2023. Studies were included if they evaluated the effect of PRP therapy for ED or PD in humans.

RESULTS

We identified 164 articles, 17 of which were included, consisting of 11 studies on ED, 5 studies on PD, and 1 study on both. We included four randomized controlled trials, 11 prospective cohort studies, and three retrospective cohort studies including a total of 1099 patients. The studies on ED and PD generally showed small to moderate benefits with mild and transient side effects and no major adverse events were reported. General limitations included variations in PRP protocols, small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, and lack of control groups except in the three randomized trials on ED and the one on PD.

CONCLUSION

The literature on PRP therapy in andrology is limited and difficult to interpret due to variations in protocols and methodological drawbacks. Further research is necessary to determine the optimal preparation and treatment protocols for PRP therapy and clarify its effectiveness in andrology.

Overcoming Male Factor Infertility: A Journey Through Assisted Reproductive Technology With Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

This case study presents a couple's journey through assisted reproductive technology (ART) experiencing two failed in vitro fertilization cycles. The couple underwent a comprehensive examination, revealing the normal parameters for the female, but asthenoteratozoospermia in the male indicating high morphological defects and reduced sperm motility. Subsequently, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was planned. Despite retrieving six oocytes during ovum pickup (OPU), all blastocysts stopped growth on the second day, prompting a sperm chromatin test disclosing highly DNA-fragmented sperm. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy was initiated to improve sperm quality, along with frozen embryo transfer (FET). Sperm were incubated with PRP, yielding improved sperm motility and reduced sperm DNA fragmentation. OPU yielded five good-quality metaphase II (MII) oocytes, which were successfully fertilized with PRP-treated sperm, resulting in the formation of four blastocysts. These blastocysts were frozen and later used for FET, resulting in a positive pregnancy outcome and successful conception. This case highlights the importance of personalized intervention in addressing the infertility factor in males and achieving successful ART outcomes.

Sperm plasma membrane ion transporters and male fertility potential: A perspective under the prism of cryopreservation

Intracellular calcium homeostasis plays a crucial role in spermatozoa by regulating physiological functions associated with sperm quality and male fertility potential. Intracellular calcium fine balance in the sperm cytoplasm is strictly dependent on sperm surface channels including the CatSper channel. CatSpers' role is to ensure the influx of extracellular calcium, while intracellular pH alkalinization serves as a stimulus for the activation of several channels, including CatSper. Overall, the generation of intracellular calcium spikes through CatSper is essential for fertilization-related processes, such as sperm hyperactivation, acrosome reaction, egg chemotaxis, and zona pellucida penetration. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that disruption in the close interaction among ions, pH, and CatSper could impair male fertility potential. In contemporary times, the growing reliance on Medically Assisted Reproduction procedures underscores the impact of cryopreservation on gametes. In fact, a large body of literature raises concerns about the cryo-damages provoked by the freeze-thawing processes, that can affect the plasma membrane integrity, thus the structure of pivotal ion channels, and the fine regulation of both intracellular calcium and pH. This review aims to provide an overview of the importance of the CatSper channel in sperm quality and further fertilization potential. Additionally, it addresses the emerging issue of cryopreservation's impact on the functionality of this sperm channel.

Cryopreservation of Human Spermatozoa: Functional, Molecular and Clinical Aspects

Cryopreservation is an expanding strategy to allow not only fertility preservation for individuals who need such procedures because of gonadotoxic treatments, active duty in dangerous occupations or social reasons and gamete donation for couples where conception is denied, but also for animal breeding and preservation of endangered animal species. Despite the improvement in semen cryopreservation techniques and the worldwide expansion of semen banks, damage to spermatozoa and the consequent impairment of its functions still remain unsolved problems, conditioning the choice of the technique in assisted reproduction procedures. Although many studies have attempted to find solutions to limit sperm damage following cryopreservation and identify possible markers of damage susceptibility, active research in this field is still required in order to optimize the process. Here, we review the available evidence regarding structural, molecular and functional damage occurring in cryopreserved human spermatozoa and the possible strategies to prevent it and optimize the procedures. Finally, we review the results on assisted reproduction technique (ARTs) outcomes following the use of cryopreserved spermatozoa.