Effects of Low Doses of Exogenous Thymoquinone on Sperm Motility and Viability of Normozoospermic Men

Abstract

Background: Sperm motility is a highly complex molecular process which is the result of transverse waves exist along its flagellum. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the most abundant active component isolated from black seed (Nigella Sativa). It was revealed that in-vivo administration of thymoquinone could improve spermatogenesis and increase number and motility of spermatozoa. The aim of this study was to assess in-vitro effects of low doses of thymoquinone on motility and viability of human spermatozoa. Methods: Twenty semen samples of normozoospermic men were washed in modified Ham’s F10 medium containing albumin. 10 semen samples were used for each concentration of thymoquinone (5 and 10 μg/ml). Each sample was washed and two aliquots of it were incubated with or without considered dose of thymoquinone. Sperm motility and viability were assessed after two hours of incubation. Also, sperm motility was graded as fast- and slow-progressive, non-progressive and immotile. Findings: Both doses of thymoquinone increased the percentage of total motile and fast-progressive sperms. Administration of 10 μg/ml of thymoquinone increased the percentage of slow-progressive sperms while the dose of 5 μg/ml reduced it. The percentage of non-progressive and immotile sperms was decreased but the percentage of viable sperms was not changed after using thymoquinone. Conclusion: Low doses of thymoquinone can increase sperm motility in culture media.

Keywords

• Nigella sativa
• Spermatozoa
• Sperm motility
• Thymoquinone