PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - BYRON ASIMAKOPOULOS AU - AGGELIKI TIPTIRI-KOURPETI AU - CHRYSSA METALINOU TI - Erythropoitein Increases <em>In Vitro</em> Motility and Vitality of Human Spermatozoa AID - 10.21873/invivo.12550 DP - 2021 Sep 01 TA - In Vivo PG - 2669--2673 VI - 35 IP - 5 4099 - http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/35/5/2669.short 4100 - http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/35/5/2669.full SO - In Vivo2021 Sep 01; 35 AB - Background/Aim: Erythropoietin and its receptor are expressed in the male reproductive system. Initial studies have shown that erythropoietin affects the motility of spermatozoa. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro effect of erythropoietin in the motility and vitality of human spermatozoa. Materials and Methods: Forty-three semen samples, obtained after 2-4 days of abstinence from sex, were analyzed and processed using density gradient centrifugation. Aliquots containing one million of spermatozoa were treated with either erythropoietin, at concentrations of 10 and 100 mIU/μl or standard culture medium for one hour. Results: Progressive motility and vitality of spermatozoa significantly increased following treatment with erythropoietin. The effect was not dose-dependent. Conclusion: The supplementation of culture medium with erythropoietin improves sperm processing in terms of vitality and motility. Future research should focus on the effects of erythropoietin on sperm capacitation as well as on the signal transduction pathways activated by erythropoietin and its receptor in spermatozoa.