Abstract: Objective · To explore the effect of vardenafil pretreatment on the post-thaw sperm activity. Methods · Semen samples were randomly collected 30 donors in Shanghai Human Sperm Bank. Then, each semen sample was aliquoted into six parts. One was immediately assayed for sperm activity without any treatment as the original control. The other five parts were incubated with vardenafil at 0, 0.4, 4.0, 40.0, and 400.0 μg/mL respectively for five minutes. The protective agent was added according to the semen: protective agent ration (2:1), and the fumigation method was used for cryopreservation. After thawing, each specimen was examined for various parameters, including progressive motility, total motility and normal sperm morphology. Results · After thawing, the progressive sperm rates were (41.47±9.80)%, (42.57±9.60)%, (47.77±8.55)%, (37.27±8.47)%, and (26.37±6.99)% in the groups treated with 0, 0.4, 4.0, 40.0, and 400.0 μg/mL of vardenafil, respectively. Compared to the control group (0 μg/mL of vardenafil), 4.0 μg/mL of vardenafil could significantly improve the post-thaw sperm motility (P0.034). Conclusion · Vardenafil pretreatment can improve the activity of the post-thaw sperm; however, it may be toxic to sperm at the high concentration.

Key words: vardenafil, cryopreservation, sperm motility