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Guerreiro BM, Lou LT, Rubinsky B, Freitas F. Ice modulatory effect of the polysaccharide FucoPol in directional freezing. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:8978-8987. [PMID: 37964678 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01154b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Directional freezing harnesses crystal growth development to create aligned solid structures or etchable patterns, useful for directed ice growth in cryobiology and cryoprinting for tissue engineering. We have delved into the ice-modulating properties of FucoPol, a fucose-rich, bio-based polysaccharide. Previous research on FucoPol revealed its non-colligative hysteresis in kinetic freezing point, reduced crystal dimensions and cryoprotective effect. Here, FucoPol reshaped developing sharp, anisotropic obloid ice dendrites into linearly-aligned, thin, isotropic spicules or tubules (cooling rate-dependent morphology). The effect was enhanced by increased concentration and decreased cooling rate, but major reshaping was observed with 5 μM and below. These structures boasted remarkable enhancements: uniform alignment (3-fold), tip symmetry (5.9-fold) and reduced thickness (5.3-fold). The ice-modulating capability of FucoPol resembles the Gibbs-Thomson effect of antifreeze proteins, in particular the ice reshaping profiles of type I antifreeze proteins and rattlesnake venom lectins, evidenced by a 52.6 ± 2.2° contact angle (θ) and spicular structure generation. The high viscosity of FucoPol solutions, notably higher than that of sucrose, plays a crucial role. This viscosity dynamically intensifies during directional freezing, leading to a diffusion-limited impediment that influences dendritic formation. Essentially, the ice-modulating prowess of FucoPol not only reinforces its established cryoprotective qualities but also hints at its potential utility in applications that harness advantageous ice growth for intentional structuring. For instance, its potential in cryobioprinting is noteworthy, offering an economical, biodegradable resource, of easy removal, sidestepping the need for toxic reagents. Moreover, FucoPol fine-tunes resulting ice structures, enabling the ice-etching of biologically relevant patterns within biocompatible matrices for advanced tissue engineering endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno M Guerreiro
- UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal.
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Leo T Lou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Boris Rubinsky
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Filomena Freitas
- UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal.
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
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Gillis JD, Holt WV, Penfold LM, Woad KJ, Graham JK, Watts JA, Gardner DS, Yon L. Cryo-scanning electron microscopy demonstrates that ice morphology is not associated with the post-thaw survival of domestic boar (Sus domesticus) spermatozoa: A comparison of directional and conventional freezing methods. Cryobiology 2022; 108:10-18. [PMID: 36084733 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Directional freezing (in 2 or 10 ml hollow glass tubes) has been reported to improve post-thaw sperm survival parameters compared to conventional methods (in 0.5 ml straws). However, the biophysical properties that increase post-thaw survival are poorly understood. Therefore, the aim for the current study was to investigate the effect of ice morphology on the post-thaw survival of domestic boar spermatozoa directionally and conventionally cryopreserved in 0.5 ml straws. Ice morphology was quantitatively analyzed using a combination of cryo-scanning electron microscopy and Fiji Shape Descriptors. Multivariate analysis found a significant, non-linear effect (p < 0.05) of interface velocity on ice morphology, with an increase in both ice-lake size, as indicated by area and in aspect ratio, at an interface velocity of 0.2 mm/s. By contrast, post-thaw sperm survival (defined as spermatozoa with both intact plasma membranes and acrosomes) was biphasic, with peaks of survival at interface velocities of 0.2 mm/s (54.2 ± 1.9%), and 1.0 or 1.5 mm/s (56.5 ± 1.5%, 56.7 ± 1.7% respectively), and lowest survival at 0.5 (52.1 ± 1.6%) and 3.0 mm/s (51.4 ± 1.9%). Despite numerical differences in Shape Descriptors, there was no difference (p > 0.05) in the post-thaw survival between conventionally and directionally cryopreserved samples at optimal interface velocities of 1.0 or 1.5 mm/s. These findings suggest that: 1) ice morphology has little impact on post-thaw survival of boar spermatozoa, and 2) directional freezing in 0.5 ml straws (rather than 2 or 10 ml hollow glass tubes) may attenuate benefits of directional freezing.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D Gillis
- South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction & Conservation, 581705 White Oak Road, Yulee, FL, 32097, USA; School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - William V Holt
- Academic Department of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Sheffield, Level 4, Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk, Sheffield, S10 2SF, UK
| | - Linda M Penfold
- South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction & Conservation, 581705 White Oak Road, Yulee, FL, 32097, USA
| | - Kathryn J Woad
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - James K Graham
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Julie A Watts
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - David S Gardner
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Lisa Yon
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
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Saragusty J, Lemma A, Hildebrandt TB, Göritz F. Follicular size predicts success in artificial insemination with frozen-thawed sperm in donkeys. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175637. [PMID: 28520723 PMCID: PMC5435134 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In asses, semen collection, cryopreservation, and artificial insemination (AI) with frozen-thawed semen have been scarcely described and success rate, particularly following AI, is reportedly low. In the absence of reliable protocols, assisted reproductive technologies cannot support the conservation efforts aimed at endangered wild ass species and domestic donkey breeds. Two experiments were conducted in this study. In experiment 1 we evaluated freezing Abyssinian donkey (N = 5, 4 ejaculates each) spermatozoa using three freezing extenders (Berliner Cryomedium + glycerol, BC+G; BotuCrio, BOTU; INRAFreeze, INRA) and two cryopreservation techniques (liquid nitrogen vapour, LNV; directional freezing, DF). Post-thaw evaluation indicated that BOTU and INRA were similar and both superior to BC+G (P ≤ 0.004 for all motility tests), and that DF was superior to LNV (P < 0.002 for all evaluation parameters). In experiment 2, relying on these results, we used Abyssinian donkey sperm frozen in BOTU and INRA by DF for AI (N = 20). Prior to AI, thawed samples were diluted in corresponding centrifugation media or autologous seminal fluids at 1:1 ratio. No difference was found between BOTU and INRA or between the addition of seminal fluids or media, all resulting in ~50% pregnancy, and no differences were noted between males (N = 4). The size of pre-ovulatory follicle was a significant (P = 0.001) predictor for AI success with 9/10 pregnancies occurring when follicular size ranged between 33.1-37.4 mm, no pregnancy when it was smaller, and only one when larger. A number of ass species face the risk of extinction. Knowledge gained in this study on the Abyssinian donkey can be customised and transferred to its closely related endangered species and breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Saragusty
- Department of Reproduction Management, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alemayehu Lemma
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
| | - Thomas Bernd Hildebrandt
- Department of Reproduction Management, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Göritz
- Department of Reproduction Management, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
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Directional freezing of sperm and associated derived technologies. Anim Reprod Sci 2016; 169:6-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2016.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Revised: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Controlled ice nucleation—Is it really needed for large-volume sperm cryopreservation? Theriogenology 2016; 85:1328-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Revised: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Pukazhenthi BS. Saving wild ungulate diversity through enhanced management and sperm cryopreservation. Reprod Fertil Dev 2016; 28:RD15412. [PMID: 27246462 DOI: 10.1071/rd15412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild ungulates throughout the world face the impending risk of extinction. Small founding population size, lack of interest in exhibiting wild ungulates and declining space in zoos are not sustaining ex situ populations. Animals managed in ex situ collections continue to experience >20% neonate loss globally. To ensure population sustainability there is a critical need to: (1) manage ungulates in large herds, increasing mate choice and reproductive efficiency; (2) improve husbandry and genetic management; and (3) develop consistent assisted reproductive technologies, including sperm cryopreservation and AI. Recently, new models in the management of ungulates have begun to emerge. Animal managers and researchers are also beginning to exploit advances in genomics to improve genetic management of their collections. Furthermore, the past decade has witnessed significant advances particularly in semen collection and cryopreservation in numerous species. Advances in gonadal tissue cryopreservation now offer additional opportunities to preserve male genomes. The new knowledge generated is enabling the creation of genetic (sperm) banks to rescue and enhance reproductive management of wild ungulates. The present paper reviews the threats to ungulate populations, the status and relevance of animal management and biomaterial banking efforts to ensure long-term survival of these charismatic species.
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Abstract
Cryopreservation is currently the method of choice when it comes to long-term preservation of viable biological samples. The process, and consequently the volume of the sample, however, is limited by the ability to achieve homogenous and efficient heat removal. When this cannot be properly managed, ice crystals will grow uncontrollably resulting in extensive damage to the cryopreserved cells or tissues. Directional freezing is a technique that can be used to precisely control heat dissipation and ice crystal growth and morphology even when freezing large volumes. The technique has been used over the years to cryopreserve spermatozoa, oocytes, embryos, tissue slices and whole organs from a wide variety of domestic and wild species. In this chapter a protocol for directional freezing of spermatozoa is described and its benefits and shortcomings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Saragusty
- Department of Reproduction Management, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany,
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Anzar M, Grochulski P, Bonnet B. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction to detect glass or ice formation in the vitrified bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes and morulae. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114801. [PMID: 25536435 PMCID: PMC4275205 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitrification of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) is not as successful as bovine embryos, due to oocyte's complex structure and chilling sensitivity. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD), a powerful method to study crystal structure and phase changes, was used to detect the glass or ice formation in water, tissue culture medium (TCM)-199, vitrification solution 2 (VS2), and vitrified bovine COCs and morulae. Data revealed Debye's rings and peaks associated with the hexagonal ice crystals at 3.897, 3.635, 3.427, 2.610, 2.241, 1.912 and 1.878 Å in both water and TCM-199, whereas VS2 showed amorphous (glassy) appearance, at 102K (−171°C). An additional peak of sodium phosphate monobasic hydrate (NaH2PO4.H2O) crystals was observed at 2.064 Å in TCM-199 only. All ice and NaH2PO4.H2O peaks were detected in the non-vitrified (control) and vitrified COCs, except two ice peaks (3.145 and 2.655 Å) were absent in the vitrified COCs. The intensities of majority of ice peaks did not differ between the non-vitrified and vitrified COCs. The non-vitrified bovine morulae in TCM-199 demonstrated all ice- and NaH2PO4.H2O-associated Debye's rings and peaks, found in TCM-199 alone. There was no Debye's ring present in the vitrified morulae. In conclusion, SXRD is a powerful method to confirm the vitrifiability of a solution and to detect the glass or ice formation in vitrified cells and tissues. The vitrified bovine COCs exhibited the hexagonal ice crystals instead of glass formation whereas the bovine morulae underwent a typical vitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Anzar
- Cryobiology Lab, Canadian Animal Genetic Resource Program, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon Research Center, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Kilbride P, Morris GJ, Milne S, Fuller B, Skepper J, Selden C. A scale down process for the development of large volume cryopreservation. Cryobiology 2014; 69:367-75. [PMID: 25219980 PMCID: PMC4271741 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2014.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Revised: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The process of ice formation and propagation during cryopreservation impacts on the post-thaw outcome for a sample. Two processes, either network solidification or progressive solidification, can dominate the water–ice phase transition with network solidification typically present in small sample cryo-straws or cryo-vials. Progressive solidification is more often observed in larger volumes or environmental freezing. These different ice phase progressions could have a significant impact on cryopreservation in scale-up and larger volume cryo-banking protocols necessitating their study when considering cell therapy applications. This study determines the impact of these different processes on alginate encapsulated liver spheroids (ELS) as a model system during cryopreservation, and develops a method to replicate these differences in an economical manner. It was found in the current studies that progressive solidification resulted in fewer, but proportionally more viable cells 24 h post-thaw compared with network solidification. The differences between the groups diminished at later time points post-thaw as cells recovered the ability to undertake cell division, with no statistically significant differences seen by either 48 h or 72 h in recovery cultures. Thus progressive solidification itself should not prove a significant hurdle in the search for successful cryopreservation in large volumes. However, some small but significant differences were noted in total viable cell recoveries and functional assessments between samples cooled with either progressive or network solidification, and these require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kilbride
- Institute of Liver and Digestive Health, Royal Free Hospital Campus, UCL, London NW3 2PF, UK.
| | - G John Morris
- Asymptote Ltd., St. John's Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0WS, UK
| | - Stuart Milne
- Asymptote Ltd., St. John's Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0WS, UK
| | - Barry Fuller
- Department of Surgery, Royal Free Hospital Campus, UCL, London NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Jeremy Skepper
- Multi Imaging Centre, Anatomy Building, Downing Site, Cambridge University, CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Clare Selden
- Institute of Liver and Digestive Health, Royal Free Hospital Campus, UCL, London NW3 2PF, UK
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