Abstract

Objective: Given the destructive effects of oxidative stress on sperm structure, this study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant ef-fects of different concentrations of Ceratonia siliqua plant extract on human sperm parameters after the freezing-thawing process. Methods: A total of 20 normozoospermic samples were frozen. Each sample was divided into two control groups (fresh and cryopreserva-tion) and three cryopreservation experimental groups (containing C. siliqua extract at concentrations of 20, 30, and 40 µg/mL in the freezing extender). Motility, intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane poten-tial (MMP), viability, and acrosome reaction parameters were evaluated. Results: Statistical analysis showed that the highest motility, viability, and PMI were associated with the 20 pg/mL concentration of C. siliqua extract. At all concentrations, intracellular ROS levels were significantly lower and the levels of MMP and the acrosome reaction were signifi-cantly higher than in the cryopreservation control group (p <0.05). Conclusion: C. siliqua extract supplements at concentrations of 20, 30, and 40 pg/mL improved sperm motility, viability, PMI, MMP, intracel-lular ROS, and the acrosome reaction. © 2023 the korean society for reproductive medicine