Application of Soybean Lecithin in the Cryopreservation of Human Sperm

doi:10.12280/gjszjk.20250524

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective: To evaluate the cryoprotective effects of soybean lecithin (SL) in an animal-free cryopreservation system based on HSPM cryoprotectant for human sperm cryopreservation. Methods: A total of 156 human semen samples (92 normal sperm and 64 sperm with weak motility) were collected. Using HSPM+20% egg yolk (EY group) as the control group, the experimental groups were set up with 1%, 2%, 3%, and 5% SL (SL groups). Sperm motility, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), sperm morphology, membrane integrity, and oxidative stress level were analyzed. Results: In terms of sperm activity, the 2% SL group and EY group showed significantly higher progressive motility (PR), average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL), and total sperm motility (TM) in the normal sperm and weakly motile sperm when compared to the other three groups (all P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in PR and VAP between the 2% SL group and EY group (both P>0.05). In terms of membrane integrity, the positive rate of hypoosmotic swelling test and viability in the 2% SL group and EY group were significantly higher than those in the other three groups (all P<0.05), while there were no statistically significant difference between the 2% SL group and EY group (all P>0.05). In terms of DFI, normal sperm morphology rate and oxidative stress level, the 2% SL group was significantly superior to the other four groups (all P<0.05). Conclusions: The 2% SL formulation can effectively replace EY in the HSPM cryoprotectant. It maintains sperm motility and membrane integrity, while significantly improves DNA stability, morphological integrity and reduces oxidative damage.

Key words: Spermatozoa, Lecithins, Semen preservation, Cryopreservation, Sperm motility

LI Huan, CHEN Yi, JIANG Xiang-long, CHEN Sheng-hui, XIONG Qing. Application of Soybean Lecithin in the Cryopreservation of Human Sperm[J]. Journal of International Reproductive Health/Family Planning, 2026, 45(1): 6-10.

Figures/Tables 5

References 24

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精子类别	n	精子浓度（×10⁶/mL）	PR （%）	VAP （μm/s）	VCL （μm/s）	TM （%）
正常精子	92	69.5±25.2	46.8±7.8	38.3±7.2	65.0±8.1	57.5±8.9
弱活力精子	64	43.8±15.6	22.7±6.9	26.0±5.8	45.4±7.9	29.9±6.7
t		7.847	19.858	11.881	14.948	20.977
P		<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001

精子类别	n	精子浓度（×10⁶/mL）	PR （%）	VAP （μm/s）	VCL （μm/s）	TM （%）
正常精子	92	69.5±25.2	46.8±7.8	38.3±7.2	65.0±8.1	57.5±8.9
弱活力精子	64	43.8±15.6	22.7±6.9	26.0±5.8	45.4±7.9	29.9±6.7
t		7.847	19.858	11.881	14.948	20.977
P		<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001

组别	正常精子（n=92）				弱活力精子（n=64）
组别	PR（%）	VAP（μm/s）	VCL（μm/s）	TM（%）	PR（%）	VAP（μm/s）	VCL（μm/s）	TM（%）
EY组	41.9±5.1	39.0±4.3	67.9±5.8	56.5±6.8	20.4±3.2	24.8±4.0	43.3±5.6	29.1±3.8
1% SL组	36.2±5.1^ab	33.3±4.0^ab	58.1±4.6^ab	49.1±5.8^ab	16.8±3.2^ab	20.4±2.9^ab	36.6±4.8^ab	24.3±3.0^ab
2% SL组	42.1±3.6	38.1±4.3	65.6±5.4^a	56.0±3.1	21.4±3.1	24.8±3.8	41.0±5.1^a	27.6±4.0^a
3% SL组	33.6±3.9^ab	30.1±3.8^ab	52.1±5.0^ab	45.8±5.7^ab	14.5±3.0^ab	18.2±3.0^ab	34.2±4.2^ab	20.9±3.2^ab
5% SL组	28.9±4.5^ab	28.1±3.7^ab	50.3±3.6^ab	42.6±5.5^ab	12.9±2.8^ab	16.0±3.3^ab	33.0±4.3^ab	19.1±3.2^ab
F	145.464	131.146	236.675	115.356	89.657	83.353	53.805	96.890
P	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001

组别	正常精子（n=92）				弱活力精子（n=64）
组别	PR（%）	VAP（μm/s）	VCL（μm/s）	TM（%）	PR（%）	VAP（μm/s）	VCL（μm/s）	TM（%）
EY组	41.9±5.1	39.0±4.3	67.9±5.8	56.5±6.8	20.4±3.2	24.8±4.0	43.3±5.6	29.1±3.8
1% SL组	36.2±5.1^ab	33.3±4.0^ab	58.1±4.6^ab	49.1±5.8^ab	16.8±3.2^ab	20.4±2.9^ab	36.6±4.8^ab	24.3±3.0^ab
2% SL组	42.1±3.6	38.1±4.3	65.6±5.4^a	56.0±3.1	21.4±3.1	24.8±3.8	41.0±5.1^a	27.6±4.0^a
3% SL组	33.6±3.9^ab	30.1±3.8^ab	52.1±5.0^ab	45.8±5.7^ab	14.5±3.0^ab	18.2±3.0^ab	34.2±4.2^ab	20.9±3.2^ab
5% SL组	28.9±4.5^ab	28.1±3.7^ab	50.3±3.6^ab	42.6±5.5^ab	12.9±2.8^ab	16.0±3.3^ab	33.0±4.3^ab	19.1±3.2^ab
F	145.464	131.146	236.675	115.356	89.657	83.353	53.805	96.890
P	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001

组别	正常精子（n=92）		弱活力精子（n=64）
组别	DFI （%）	正常精子形态率（%）	DFI （%）	正常精子形态率（%）
EY组	22.0±2.7^a	38.2±4.0^a	27.7±2.2^a	33.0±2.9^a
1% SL组	24.1±2.6^a	37.4±4.4^a	28.4±2.3^a	30.3±4.0^a
2% SL组	16.7±1.8	45.3±3.9	24.6±2.1	39.0±4.1
3% SL组	26.2±1.9^a	36.1±3.8^a	28.3±2.1^a	28.4±4.3^a
5% SL组	29.1±2.6^a	31.4±2.9^a	31.2±2.2^a	28.2±3.3^a
F	371.022	156.699	72.553	90.550
P	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001