Thymoquinone as a natural spermostatic substance in reproductive medicine: An experimental study

Journal Title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine - Year 2017, Vol 15, Issue 10

Abstract

Background: Nonoxynol-9 a nonionic surfactant is widely used for its spermicidal effects. Finding new sperm immobilizing agents is necessary because Nonoxynol-9 damages the tissues of female reproductive system. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Thymoquinone (TQ) as a potential spermostatic compound on the motility and viability of human spermatozoa. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the effects of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 μg/ml, 1 and 10 mg/ml of TQ on normozoospermic semen samples were investigated. Sperm motility and viability were compared between untreated and TQ-treated aliquots of each semen sample. To evaluate the effects of TQ on the alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), 32 semen samples were examined using 50 μg/ml of TQ. Flow cytometric analysis was performed after staining of spermatozoa with JC-1. Results: Doses above 20 μg/ml of TQ could eventually immobilize all spermatozoa in culture medium. Adding 50 μg/ml of TQ did not significantly diminish the percentage of viable spermatozoa and flow cytometry results revealed that this amount of TQ could decrease sperm MMP. Conclusion: TQ could discontinue the movement of sperm cells in medium without reducing the population of live spermatozoa. It is more likely that TQ exerts its spermostatic action by mitigating the MMP of spermatozoa. Therefore, TQ could be considered as a potential new natural spermostatic chemical.

Authors and Affiliations

Farhad Golshan Iranpour, Khatereh Fazelian, Gholam Reza Dashti

Keywords

Related Articles

Genital infections and reproductive complications associated with Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Streptococcus agalactiae in women of Qom, central Iran

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis (T.vaginalis) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N.gonorrhoeae) are two most common non-viral sexually transmitted infections in the world. No data are available regarding the epidemiology of ge...

Religious teachings and sexuality of women living in Rafsanjan: A qualiattive inquiry

Background: Islamic doctrine and related teachings play a seminal role in constructing the sexual performance of followers, women in particular. Objective: The aim was to explore women’s understandings of Islamic Shiite...

Assessment on the adverse effects of Aminoglycosides and Flouroquinolone on sperm parameters and male reproductive tissue: A systematic review

Background: Antibiotic therapies used in treatment of many diseases have adverse effects on fertility. This review analyzes previous comparative studies that surveyed the effects of two common groups of antibiotics on ma...

Vitrification has detrimental effects on maturation, viability, and subcellular quality of oocytes post IVM in cancerous women: An experimental study

Background: In vitro maturation (IVM) of immature oocytes retrieved from ovarian tissue has been considered as a valuable approach for fertility preservation in cancerous patients. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of...

Determination of the most important risk factors of gestational diabetes in Iran by group analytical hierarchy process

Background: The outbreak of gestational diabetes has a significant increase during recent years. This disease has complications for mother and her baby. Screening is an opportunity for preventing of gestational diabetes...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP281292
  • DOI 10.29252/ijrm.15.10.7
  • Views 101
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Farhad Golshan Iranpour, Khatereh Fazelian, Gholam Reza Dashti (2017). Thymoquinone as a natural spermostatic substance in reproductive medicine: An experimental study. International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine, 15(10), 641-648. https://europub.co.uk./articles/-A-281292