Update on techniques for cryopreservation of human spermatozoa

Huang, Chuan; Tang, Yu-Lin; Hu, Jian-Ling; Zhou, Wen-Jun; Huang, Zeng-Hui; Luo, Xue-Feng; Li, Zheng; Zhu, Wenbing

doi:10.4103/aja20229

Cited by 19 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 94 publications

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“…All cryopreservation techniques, which are slow freezing, rapid freezing, and vitrification (which can also be called ultrarapid freezing), do include those steps, but we can note some differences between the protocols. The most significant difference is the speed of freezing and thawing, followed by the use of a cryoprotectant and its concentration [8]. For the record, the temperature drop during slow freezing occurs at a rate from 0.5 • C to 0 • C per minute, and during vitrification, the temperature drops by hundreds or even thousands of • C per minute [7,9].…”

Section: Background and General Principles Of Cryopreservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm Cryopreservation Today: Approaches, Efficiency, and Pitfalls

Ozimic,

Ban-Frangez,

Stimpfel

2023

CIMB

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The cryopreservation of human spermatozoa has been an option for patients undergoing chemo or radiotherapies since the late 1950s. Presently, there are different techniques for the cryopreservation of spermatozoa. The most commonly used techniques are programmable slow freezing and freezing on liquid nitrogen vapors, while the use of vitrification is still not accepted as clinically relevant. Although there have been many improvements, the ideal technique for achieving better post-thaw sperm quality continues to be a mystery. A major obstacle during cryopreservation is the formation of intracellular ice crystals. Cryodamage generated by cryopreservation causes structural and molecular alterations in spermatozoa. Injuries can happen because of oxidative stress, temperature stress, and osmotic stress, which then result in changes in the plasma membrane fluidity, motility, viability, and DNA integrity of the spermatozoa. To prevent cryodamage as much as possible, cryoprotectants are added, and in some clinical trial cases, even antioxidants that may improve post-thaw sperm quality are added. This review discusses cryopreservation techniques, cryodamage on molecular and structural levels, and cryoprotectants. It provides a comparison of cryopreservation techniques and describes recent advances in those techniques.

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Section: Background and General Principles Of Cryopreservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm Cryopreservation Today: Approaches, Efficiency, and Pitfalls

Ozimic,

Ban-Frangez,

Stimpfel

2023

CIMB

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“…Cryopreservation of semen in liquid nitrogen is a useful tool for male fertility preservation and is used routinely in assisted reproductive technology (ART) [1]. The procedure is used for donor sperm storage [2], prior to cancer treatments [3], in case of autoimmune diseases [4] and upon testicular and epididymal sperm extraction for ART [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of Endogenous Seminal L-Carnitine Levels with Post-Thaw Semen Parameters in Humans

Iliceto,

Andersen,

Stensen

et al. 2024

Andrologia

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Cryopreservation of semen is a useful tool for male fertility preservation. Some evidence for a beneficial effect of L-carnitine supplementation of freezing media on cryopreserved semen samples has been reported. Here, we examined the association of endogenous levels of seminal L-carnitine with post-thaw semen parameters. We also investigated the effect of freezing medium supplemented with L-carnitine on sperm characteristics, related to endogenous seminal L-carnitine levels. Semen analyses were performed on 125 fresh samples, and after standard cryopreservation and with L-carnitine as a supplement. Participants were categorized into two groups based on the median levels of endogenous seminal L-carnitine: low L-carnitine (≤38.8 µg/ml) and high L-carnitine (>38.8 µg/ml). After standard cryopreservation, semen samples with high L-carnitine levels showed higher rapid progressive, progressive and total sperm motility and a reduced seminal static oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) level than samples with low L-carnitine levels. Only in post-thaw samples with low L-carnitine levels, there was an increase in the amount of sperm neck midpiece defects, compared to the fresh samples. Cryopreservation with L-carnitine had the most beneficial effect on rapid progressive sperm motility in samples with high endogenous L-carnitine levels. In conclusion, L-carnitine has a beneficial impact on sperm characteristics in post-thaw samples both as an endogenous component in seminal plasma and as a supplement in the freezing medium, by improving sperm motility and reducing seminal oxidative stress.

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“…When cryopreserved properly, the sperms remain in a state of metabolic arrest that prevents cellular aging and retains the fertilizing capacity of the sperm for an almost unlimited period [8]. Nevertheless, the freezing-thawing processes cause deterioration in sperm viability due to osmotic or oxidative stress [9], cryoprotectant toxicity and DNA fragmentation [10], physical cellular damage [11], or a combination of these factors. Permeating (e.g., glycerol) and non-permeating (e.g., proteins) cryoprotective agents (cryoprotectants) are used to minimize damage from freezing and thawing [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Omega-3 Fatty Acids as Supplements and Cryoprotectants and Positive Outcomes for Human Seminal Cryopreservation: A Study in the Iraqi Context

Al-Obeidy,

Akkila,

Noel

2023

Jordan Med. J.

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Background: With the increasing deterioration in male fertility rates over the past few decades, assisted reproductive therapy via sperm banking has gained considerable attention from different health authorities worldwide. The process of sperm cryopreservation exerts certain harmful effects on sperm quality parameters. The aim of the current study was to examine the effect of omega-3 on human sperm cryopreservation as a dietary supplement and as a cryoprotectant stimulant. Methods: From healthy men, 120 seminal fluid samples were randomly collected for cryopreservation (for 30 days). All samples were divided into three groups (40 in each). The supplement group (SG) (first group) had been given dietary supplements of omega-3 (30% EPA: 20% DHA) for eight weeks before sample collection. The samples of the cryoprotectant group (CG) (second group) were treated with omega-3 additive in the diluent at the time of being collected and before we cryopreserved them. The samples from the control group (third group) were cryopreserved without any dietary or cryoprotectant supplementation. Initial seminal analysis was recorded and post-thawing assessment of sperm motility, vitality (using eosin test) and oxidative stress (using a nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) test) were compared. Results and Conclusion: SG samples had greater initial seminal fluid volumes, as well as better sperm motility and vitality, but the oxidative stress assessment did not differ significantly pre-cryo. Post-thawing assessment revealed that the CG group had the best parameters of motility, vitality and oxidative stress. These results may be related to the positive effects of omega-3 fatty acids on reproductive glands, hormonal milieu, sperm function and structure, making it a suitable biostimulant for improving the outcome of human sperm banking. Results were comparable to multiple previous animal studies.

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Update on techniques for cryopreservation of human spermatozoa

Cited by 19 publications

References 94 publications

Sperm Cryopreservation Today: Approaches, Efficiency, and Pitfalls

Sperm Cryopreservation Today: Approaches, Efficiency, and Pitfalls

Association of Endogenous Seminal L-Carnitine Levels with Post-Thaw Semen Parameters in Humans

Omega-3 Fatty Acids as Supplements and Cryoprotectants and Positive Outcomes for Human Seminal Cryopreservation: A Study in the Iraqi Context

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