Cryoprotectant‐free ultra‐rapid freezing of human spermatozoa in cryogenic vials. (3rd July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, J.; Jin, R.‐T.; Wu, L.‐M.; Johansson, L.; Guo, T.‐H.; Liu, Y.‐S.; Tong, X.‐H.
• Is Part Of: Andrologia. Volume 46:Number 6(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 642
• Page End: 649
• Publication Date: 2013-07-03
• Subjects: Andrology -- Periodicals; Infertility, Male -- Periodicals; 616.69
• DOI: 10.1111/and.12131
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0303-4569

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="and12131-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ultra‐rapid freezing (direct immersion in liquid nitrogen) on human spermatozoa in cryogenic vials (≥0.5 ml) at different concentrations of sucrose. After swim‐up, the sperm suspensions (<italic>N </italic>= 58) were diluted with sperm preparation medium and divided into six aliquots: swim‐up (fresh), conventional freezing group (slow freezing) and four ultra‐rapid freezing groups containing sucrose at different concentrations (0.15 <sc>m</sc>, 0.20 <sc>m</sc>, 0.25 <sc>m</sc> and 0.30 <sc>m</sc>). Sperm motility, progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity, DNA stability and acrosome integrity of fresh and cooled‐warmed spermatozoa were analysed. The progressive motility, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity of spermatozoa in the 0.20 <sc>m</sc> sucrose group were significantly higher than those of the slow freezing group (47.5 ± 6.8% versus 36.4 ± 8.7%, 73.2 ± 6.9% versus 63.9 ± 6.3%, 53.7 ± 10.0% versus 35.9 ± 9.7% respectively, <italic>P </italic><<italic> </italic>0.05). However, no differences were found in sperm motility or DNA stability (58.5 ± 6.3% versus 54.2 ± 5.3%, 90.1 ± 2.8% versus 87.2 ± 4.7%, <italic>P </italic>><italic> </italic>0.05 respectively) between the 0.20 <sc>m</sc> sucrose and the slow freezing group. No differences were found between the ultra‐rapid and slow freezing group at the other concentrations of sucrose. Our findings suggest that the method of ultra‐rapid freezing of human spermatozoa in cryogenic vials with a solution containing 0.20 <sc>m</sc> sucrose results in recovery of spermatozoon of superior qualities. In contrast to slow freezing, the ultra‐rapid freezing technique of human spermatozoa seems to reduce cryoinjuries and maintain important physiological characteristics of the spermatozoa after warming.</p> </abstract>