Effect of Aloe vera extracts on in vitro human sperm parameters for asthenozoospermic patients

Abstract

Background: Aloe vera is an evergreen perennial plant. It is widely used in modern herbal practice. The clear gel contained within the leaf makes an excellent treatment for wounds, burns and other skin disorders, speeding up the rate of healing and reducing the risk of infection. Aloe vera is also taken internally in the treatment of chronic constipation, poor appetite, and digestive problems. Semen analysis is the cornerstone of the evaluation of male fertility. Routine semen analysis can many times allow a definitive diagnosis of infertility. Therefore, the typical measurements done in a semen analysis include: sperm concentration, sperm motility, progressive sperm motility, sperm morphology, and foreign cell contamination. Objective: The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of low dose of fresh Aloe vera leaf gel extracts on in vitro sperm parameters for asthenozoospermic patients. Materials and Methods: Thirty semen samples of asthenozoospermic patients were used in this study. 5 µL of Aloe vera extract was mixed with 1 ml of each sample, left in the incubator for one hour, and then the sperm parameters including concentration, motility, morphology, agglutination, viability, and HOS test were recorded. Results: Highly significant increase at (P≤ 0.01) was recorded in the sperm concentration, percentages of sperm motility, progressive motility grade A, and normal sperm morphology, as well as sperm viability and HOS test. While a highly significant decrease (P≤ 0.01) was record in the percentages of sperm grades C and D, agglutination, and number of round cells. Conclusion: Using low dose of fresh Aloe vera extract enhanced sperm parameters especially in relation to motility, morphology and viability.