Comparisons between Two Antioxidant Butylated Hydroxytoluene and Glutathione Supplemented Cryopreservation Medium on Human Sperm DNA Integrity

Introduction: Cryopreservation of semen is routinely used in a variety of circumstances including before assisted reproduction treatments, pre- radiation or chemotherapy treatment and etc. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Glutathione supplemented cryopreservation medium on sperm parameters and amount of DNA fragmentation during the freeze-thaw process. Methods: Semen samples were obtained from 60 donors. After the determination of basic parameters, groups of three sample with similar parameters were pooled and processed by Pure Sperm gradient centrifugation. The semen samples were then diluted with normal freezing medium (control) or a medium containing 5mM glutathione (test) and 0.5 mM BHT (test) stored in liquid nitrogen. Frozen cryovials were thawed individually for 20 seconds in a water bath (37 ˚C) for evaluation. Results: Significant differences were observed in motility, viability and DNA fragmentation. Motility and viability were significantly higher in treated groups with 0.5 Mm in 5 min BHT than the control group and Glutathione 5mM (P<0.001). Conclusion: Significant differences were observed in motility, viability and DNA fragmentation. Motility and viability were significantly higher in treated groups with 0.5 Mm in 5 min BHT than the control group and Glutathione 5mM (P<0.001).