Field trial of a diluent for the transportation of human semen at ambient temperatures

Objective: To examine the ability of a citrate-yolk buffer extender to preserve human semen samples at ambient temperatures over a 25- to 30-hour period. Design: Human semen samples were diluted 1:1 with citrate-yolk buffer or homologous seminal plasma and transported at ambient temperature between two distant locations (London to Edinburgh, United Kingdom). Various criteria of semen quality then were assessed before and after 25 to 30 hours storage and transportation in these diluents. Setting: An institutional research laboratory and a private fertility clinic. Patient(s): Samples were presided by 21 donors of unknown fertility and 7 asthenozoospermic patients. Intervention(s): The diluent used to preserve human semen comprised an egg yolk buffer supplemented with fructose and citrate. Main Outcome Measure(s): Aspects of semen quality assessed included movement, hyaluronate penetration, viability, acrosome reaction, and reactive oxygen species generation. Result(s): The deterioration of semen quality at ambient temperatures could be prevented by the presence of citrate-yolk buffer, permitting the accurate analysis of oxidative stress and Conclusion(s): Citrate-yolk buffer offers considerable promise as a medium for the ambient temperature storage and transportation of human semen.