Effects of Propolis Extract Medium on In Vitro Sperms Activation of Infertile Asthenozoospermic Men

Abstract

Back ground: the disability to have a child is a big problem for millions of couples throughout the world. Medical herbal plants have been used in many countries to overcome such problems and many of these plants treated male infertility in vivo and in vitro. Therefore; study has investigated the bioactive effect of propolis extract medium on certain sperm function parameters in vitro of infertile men.

Aim of study: This study has evaluated the beneficial pharmacological effects of propolis extract on certain sperm function characters of asthenozoospermic men.

Materials and methods: Twenty-five of semen samples from patients complaining from asthenozoospermia were analyzed   and diagnosed. The layering procedure was used for in vitro sperm preparation and activation.  Two concentrations of propolis extract (0.5 mg and 1mg / 1 ml of phosphate buffer solution) medium were used and compared with Hams-F 12 medium (control) and phosphate buffer solution (PBS). Certain sperm function parameters were recorded.     

 Results: The results have shown that there was a significant (P<0.05) effect on active sperm motility grade A when using 1mg/ml propolis medium compared to 0. 5mg/ml, Hams-F12 (control) and PBS media. A significant (P<0.05) improvement in sperm motility and morphologically normal sperm (MNS) percentage was observed in a media containing propolis extracts compared to before activation and after activation by using PBS and HamsF-12 media.

Conclusion: This study has found that the using of propolis extract has a significant implication on in vitro enhancement of sperm motility and normal morphology percentage.