Is seminal plasma donation possible in infertility treatment with assisted reproductive technologies?
Gavrilov M.Yu., Babayan A.A., Yakimova A.S., Kalinin A.P., Makarova N.P.
The article presents modern data on the molecular and biological composition of human seminal plasma and the possibilities of its use in infertility treatment with assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Seminal plasma is an important component of the human ejaculate according to current scientific knowledge. Given the complexity of seminal plasma composition, it is obvious that it not only performs the function of transporting male gametes, but it also regulates the motility of spermatozoa, affects their morphology, concentration, fertilization ability, and protects gametes from external influences. The functional importance of seminal plasma is not adequately considered in the process of preparing spermatozoa for ART programs. Spermatozoa are usually washed from seminal plasma and diluted in special media. The addition of own seminal plasma or plasma from a fertile donor to washed spermatozoa can increase the fertilization ability of spermatozoa and result in a higher rate of positive outcomes (pregnancy) in ART cycles. Seminal plasma can also potentially be used for diagnosing various forms of male infertility. The composition of seminal plasma was found to vary among individuals as well as in the same individual at different time points. Several studies demonstrated differences in the proteomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic profile of seminal plasma in patients with normal fertility and various forms of infertility.
Seminal plasma donation in ART programs is not only possible but it is essential. The positive effect of donor seminal plasma on the sperm quality in patients with infertility was scientifically proven. Donor seminal plasma is also favorable for the cryotolerance of male germ cells. The mechanism of this effect still remains understudied, but it is becoming more evident that all bodily fluids of the reproductive tract are involved in conception.
Conclusion: The use of seminal plasma, either from the patient himself or from a fertile donor in the process of preparing sperm in ART programs, has the potential to increase the fertilization ability of sperm and subsequently the pregnancy rate in ART cycles.
Authors’ contributions: Yakimova A.S., Gavrilov M.Yu., Babayan A.A., Kalinin A.P., Makarova N.P. – developing the concept of the article, search and review of publications on the subject of the article, writing the text of the article.
Conflicts of interest: Authors declare lack of the possible conflicts of interests.
Funding: The study was carried out without sponsorship.
For citation: Gavrilov M.Yu., Babayan A.A., Yakimova A.S., Kalinin A.P., Makarova N.P. Is seminal plasma donation possible in infertility treatment with assisted reproductive technologies?
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2024; (8): 31-39 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2024.76
Keywords
infertility
seminal plasma
ejaculate
assisted reproductive technologies
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Received 01.04.2024
Accepted 15.07.2024
About the Authors
Maxim Yu. Gavrilov, Junior Researcher at the Prof. B.V. Leonov Department of Assistive Technologies in Infertility Treatment, V.I. Kulakov NMRC for OG&P, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Academician Oparin str., 4, maxgavr67@gmail.comAlina A. Babayan, PhD, obstetrician-gynecologist, Prof. B.V. Leonov Department of Assistive Technologies in Infertility Treatment, V.I. Kulakov NMRC for OG&P,
Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Academician Oparin str., 4, a_babayan@oparina4.ru
Alexandra S. Yakimova, Master of Medical and Biological Faculty, Pirogov RNRMU, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ostrovityanov str., 1-7, yakimoovaal@gmail.com
Andrey P. Kalinin, 4th year student of the Faculty of Medicine, Pirogov RNRMU, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ostrovityanov str., 1-7, zoaza8@mail.ru
Natalya P. Makarova, Dr. Bio. Sci., Leading Researcher at the Prof. B.V. Leonov Department of Assistive Technologies in Infertility Treatment, V.I. Kulakov NMRC for OG&P, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Academician Oparin str., 4, np_makarova@oparina4.ru
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