Hydrogen Gas Improves Sperm Movement in Male Infertility Study
- Authors
- Kumiko Nakata, Naoki Yamashita, Yoshihiro Noda, Ikuroh Ohsawa
- Journal
- Medical Gas Research
- Year
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.1186/s13618-014-0023-x
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Male Infertility
- Body System
- Reproductive System
TL;DR
Hydrogen gas (H2) treatment can boost the movement of poorly swimming sperm, potentially offering a new approach for treating male infertility.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas treatment significantly improved forward sperm motility in laboratory-damaged human sperm samples, with effects that could be renewed with repeated exposure.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen gas dissolved in liquid could improve the movement of damaged human sperm cells in a laboratory dish. They used sperm samples that had been stored at room temperature for over 5 days or frozen, which naturally have reduced movement. When exposed to hydrogen gas, the sperm showed significantly improved forward movement compared to sperm exposed to nitrogen gas (a control). The improvement appeared to work by reducing harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species and boosting energy production in the sperm's mitochondria (the cell's power plants).
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage laboratory study showing hydrogen may help restore movement in damaged sperm cells, which could have potential applications in fertility treatments. However, this research was conducted only in test tubes with human sperm cells—not in living people—so it's far too early to know if these results would translate to actual clinical benefit. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before hydrogen could be considered a viable fertility treatment.
Abstract
Background: Sperm motility is a critical factor in male fertility. Low motility can be caused by a variety factors including abnormal spermatogenesis, oxidative damage, or depletion of intracellular ATP. Recent findings indicate that hydrogen molecule (H2) selectively reduces toxic reactive oxygen species. In this study, we investigated the effects of H2 on human sperm motility in vitro. Methods: Experimentally damaged sperm suspensions from patients left at room temperature for > 5 days or frozen immediately after ejaculation were used. After exposure with H2, their forward motility was measured with a counting chamber. A time-lapse movie was recorded to analyze sperm swimming speed. Mitochondria were stained with a membrane potential-sensitive dye. Results: H2 treatment significantly improved the rate of forward motility, whereas treatment with nitrogen gas did not. While treatment for 30 min was sufficient to improve motility, it did not affect sperm swimming speed. After 24 h, retreatment with H2 increased the motility again. H2 treatment also increased mitochondrial membrane potential. Forward motility of low motile frozen-thawed sperm from patients significantly improved with cleavage medium containing H2. Conclusions: Our results illustrated that H2 treatment stimulates low sperm motility. H2 is a new promising tool for male infertility treatments.