Aquaporins and Animal Gamete Cryopreservation: Advances and Future Challenges

Abstract

Cryopreservation is globally used as a method for long-term preservation, although freeze-thawing procedures may strongly impair the gamete function. The correct cryopreservation procedure is characterized by the balance between freezing rate and cryoprotective agents (CPAs), which minimizes cellular dehydration and intracellular ice formation. For this purpose, osmoregulation is a central process in cryopreservation. During cryopreservation, water and small solutes, including penetrating cryoprotective agents, cross the plasma membrane. Aquaporins (AQPs) constitute a family of channel proteins responsible for the transport of water, small solutes, and certain gases across biological membranes. Thirteen homologs of AQPs (AQP0-12) have been described. AQPs are widely distributed throughout the male and female reproductive systems, including the sperm and oocyte membrane. The composition of the male and female gamete membrane is of special interest for assisted reproductive techniques (ART), including cryopreservation. In this review, we detail the mechanisms involved in gamete cryopreservation, including the most used techniques and CPAs. In addition, the expression and function of AQPs in the male and female gametes are explored, highlighting the potential protective role of AQPs against damage induced during cryopreservation.

Poultry genetic heritage cryopreservation and reconstruction: advancement and future challenges

“…Targeted enrichment of valine was developed as per and was proved to be effective [ 78 ]. Ribeiro et al showed the genetically determined aquaporins expression difference may render the variation in cryotolerance [ 79 ]. These results are important for the identification of potential biomarkers predicting freezability and for the development of new additives and protocols [ 80 ].…”

The Effect of Sugarcane Water Subtitution as a Candidate Substitute for Fructose in CEP Diluent on Spermatozoa Quality of Friesian Holstein Bull during Frozen Storage

“…Ducha et al (2013) menyatakan, bahwa kerusakan dapat terjadi akibat adanya cold shock yang menyebabkan susunan lipid membran mengalami perubahan. Ribeiro et al (2022) menambahkan, bahwa proses pembekuan dapat merusak spermatozoa karena terbentuknya kristal es dalam sel akibat proses pengeluaran air secara intraseluler yang dapat menyebabkan kerusakan pada spermatozoa. Oleh sebab itu, untuk memperkecil kemungkinan kerusakan struktur sel spermatozoa saat penyimpanan, maka perlu ditambahkan suatu media yang disebut pengencer.…”

GDF-8 improves in vitro implantation and cryo-tolerance by stimulating the ALK5-SMAD2/3 signaling in bovine IVF embryo development

“…Additionally, the Na + /K + -ATPase pump involving the ATPase Na + /K + Transporting Subunit Alpha 1 ( ATP1a1 ) located at the basal membrane of the TE facilitates the movement of Na + into the blastocoel through the TE, creating an osmotic pressure gradient that leads to fluid accumulation and blastocoel formation ( Kidder, 2002 ; Barcroft et al, 2003 ; Barcroft et al, 2004 ). Furthermore, aquaporins (AQPs), membrane transporters, play a significant role in water transport ( Edashige et al, 2007 ; Ribeiro et al, 2022 ). Previous studies have demonstrated that inhibition of AQPs suppresses blastocoel expansion, indicating their role in transporting water across the TE ( Barcroft et al, 2003 ).…”