P-56: Effect of Cissampelos Capensis Rhizome Extract on Human Sperm Capacitation and Acrosome Reaction

s:2086:"Background: Cissampelos capensis, is commonly known by the Afrikaans name "dawidjies" and is the most important and best known medicinal plant of the family Menispermaceae used by the Khoisan and other rural people in the western regions of South Africa. Among numerous other ailments, it is taken to treat male fertility problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of C. capensis rhizome extracts on sperm function. Materials and Methods: Fresh Cissampelos capensis rhizomes were collected and an aqueous extract was produced (CRE). A total of 77 semen samples were collected. Spermatozoa were washed with human tubular fluid medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin (HTF-BSA) and incubated with different concentrations of crude CRE for 1 hour at 37°C. Sperm motility, vitality, acrosome reaction, reactive oxygen species (ROS), capacitation, annexin V-binding, DNA-fragmentation and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) were determined. In a second part of the study, CRE was fractionationated with methanol using an Oasis HLB 6cc cartridge; F1= 0% MeOH, F2= 30% MeOH, F3= 60% MeOH and F4= 100% MeOH. A total of 26 semen samples were collected. Spermatozoa were washed with HTF-BSA medium and incubated for 2 hours with 20 μg/ml progesterone (P4) or without P4. Followed by incubation with different concentrations of fractionated CRE for 1.5 hour at 37°C. Sperm motility, ROS, capacitation were determined. Results: While incubation of sperm with crude CRE did not affect viability, annexin V-positivity and Δψm, the percentages of ROS-positive, TUNEL-positive, capacitated and hyperactivated spermatozoa increased significantly and dose-dependently. After fractionation, F1 resulted in significantly higher values for ROS, capacitation and hyperactivation than F2, F3 and F4 with P4-stimulated samples generally having higher values. Conclusion: The alkaloids present in the F1 of the extract of CRE triggered sperm intrinsic superoxide production leading to sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction induced by P4.";