1
|
Yan B, Wang J, Zhou Y, Pei L, Zhang F, Gao B, Wang H. The application of mean number of DNA breakpoints in sperm cryopreservation. Cryobiology 2024; 116:104937. [PMID: 38942068 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2024.104937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Growing concerns over declining male semen quality and rising infertility have shifted attention to male fertility. Sperm cryopreservation emerges as a crucial tool in preserving male fertility, especially for patients who need proactive preservation, such as cancer patients before undergoing radiation or chemotherapy. Although cryopreservation does not directly address infertility, effective preservation can support future fertility. However, the process may compromise sperm DNA integrity. Despite their impairment, damaged sperm often retain vitality and may still have the potential to fertilize an egg. Nonetheless, if damaged sperm fertilize an egg, excessive DNA damage could impede embryo implantation and development, despite the egg's repair capabilities. Consequently, precise detection of sperm DNA damage is crucial and urgent. To better address the issue of sperm DNA damage detection, we have introduced a novel fluorescence biosensor technology known as the TDT/SD Probe. This technology utilizes terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) and strand displacement probes to accurately detect the number of sperm DNA breakage points during the cryopreservation process. Experimental results reveal that the number of sperm DNA breakpoints significantly increases after both sperm vitrification (8.17 × 105) and conventional slow freezing (10.80 × 105), compared to the DNA breakpoints of fresh semen samples (5.19 × 105). However, sperm vitrification has the least impact on sperm breakage points. This research provides innovative means for further optimizing sperm preservation techniques by offering a novel DNA damage detection method, enabling more precise assessment of sperm DNA damage during the freezing process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bei Yan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, China; Institute of Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750001, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Institute of Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750001, China
| | - Yue Zhou
- Institute of Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750001, China
| | - Liguo Pei
- Institute of Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750001, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Reproductive Center, Yinchuan Women and Children Healthcare Hospital, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Bianbian Gao
- Institute of Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750001, China.
| | - Hongyan Wang
- Division of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangdong, 510006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Stigliani S, Amaro A, Reggiani F, Maccarini E, Massarotti C, Lambertini M, Anserini P, Scaruffi P. A Pilot Analysis of Whole Transcriptome of Human Cryopreserved Sperm. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4131. [PMID: 38612939 PMCID: PMC11012871 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Sperm cryopreservation is a procedure widely used to store gametes for later use, to preserve fertility in patients prior to gonadotoxic treatments or surgery, and for sperm donation programs. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of cryopreservation on human sperm transcriptome. Semen samples were collected from 13 normospermic men. Each sample was divided into two aliquots. The total RNA was immediately extracted from one aliquot. The second aliquot was frozen and total RNA was extracted after a week of storage in liquid nitrogen. The RNA samples were randomized in four pools, each of six donors, and analyzed by microarrays. The paired Significance Analysis of Microarray was performed. We found 219 lower abundant transcripts and 28 higher abundant transcripts in cryopreserved sperm than fresh sperm. The gene ontology analysis disclosed that cryopreservation alters transcripts of pathways important for fertility (i.e., spermatogenesis, sperm motility, mitochondria function, fertilization, calcium homeostasis, cell differentiation, and early embryo development), although the increase of some transcripts involved in immune response can compensate for the harmful effects of freezing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Stigliani
- SS Physiopathology of Human Reproduction, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy; (S.S.); (C.M.); (P.A.)
| | - Adriana Amaro
- SSD Regolazione dell’Espressione Genica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Reggiani
- SSD Regolazione dell’Espressione Genica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Elena Maccarini
- SS Physiopathology of Human Reproduction, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy; (S.S.); (C.M.); (P.A.)
| | - Claudia Massarotti
- SS Physiopathology of Human Reproduction, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy; (S.S.); (C.M.); (P.A.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal-Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Matteo Lambertini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy;
- Department of Medical Oncology, UOC Clinica di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Paola Anserini
- SS Physiopathology of Human Reproduction, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy; (S.S.); (C.M.); (P.A.)
| | - Paola Scaruffi
- SS Physiopathology of Human Reproduction, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy; (S.S.); (C.M.); (P.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pei C, Todorov P, Cao M, Kong Q, Isachenko E, Rahimi G, Mallmann-Gottschalk N, Uribe P, Sanchez R, Isachenko V. Comparative Transcriptomic Analyses for the Optimization of Thawing Regimes during Conventional Cryopreservation of Mature and Immature Human Testicular Tissue. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:214. [PMID: 38203385 PMCID: PMC10778995 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryopreservation of human testicular tissue, as a key element of anticancer therapy, includes the following stages: saturation with cryoprotectants, freezing, thawing, and removal of cryoprotectants. According to the point of view existing in "classical" cryobiology, the thawing mode is the most important consideration in the entire process of cryopreservation of any type of cells, including cells of testicular tissue. The existing postulate in cryobiology states that any frozen types of cells must be thawed as quickly as possible. The technologically maximum possible thawing temperature is 100 °C, which is used in our technology for the cryopreservation of testicular tissue. However, there are other points of view on the rate of cell thawing, according to how thawing should be carried out at physiological temperatures. In fact, there are morphological and functional differences between immature (from prepubertal patients) and mature testicular tissue. Accordingly, the question of the influence of thawing temperature on both types of tissues is relevant. The purpose of this study is to explore the transcriptomic differences of cryopreserved mature and immature testicular tissue subjected to different thawing methods by RNA sequencing. Collected and frozen testicular tissue samples were divided into four groups: quickly (in boiling water at 100 °C) thawed cryopreserved mature testicular tissue (group 1), slowly (by a physiological temperature of 37 °C) thawed mature testicular tissue (group 2), quickly thawed immature testicular tissue (group 3), and slowly thawed immature testicular tissue (group 4). Transcriptomic differences were assessed using differentially expressed genes (DEG), the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), gene ontology (GO), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses. No fundamental differences in the quality of cells of mature and immature testicular tissue after cryopreservation were found. Generally, thawing of mature and immature testicular tissue was more effective at 100 °C. The greatest difference in the intensity of gene expression was observed in ribosomes of cells thawed at 100 °C in comparison with cells thawed at 37 °C. In conclusion, an elevated speed of thawing is beneficial for frozen testicular tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Pei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (C.P.); (Q.K.); (E.I.); (N.M.-G.)
| | - Plamen Todorov
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Mengyang Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (C.P.); (Q.K.); (E.I.); (N.M.-G.)
| | - Qingduo Kong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (C.P.); (Q.K.); (E.I.); (N.M.-G.)
| | - Evgenia Isachenko
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (C.P.); (Q.K.); (E.I.); (N.M.-G.)
| | - Gohar Rahimi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (C.P.); (Q.K.); (E.I.); (N.M.-G.)
- Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum AMEDES für IVF- und Pränatalmedizin in Köln GmbH, 50968 Cologne, Germany
| | - Nina Mallmann-Gottschalk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (C.P.); (Q.K.); (E.I.); (N.M.-G.)
| | - Pamela Uribe
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (CEMT-BIOREN), Temuco 4810296, Chile; (P.U.); (R.S.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Raul Sanchez
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (CEMT-BIOREN), Temuco 4810296, Chile; (P.U.); (R.S.)
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Volodimir Isachenko
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (C.P.); (Q.K.); (E.I.); (N.M.-G.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bai J, Zhou G, Hao S, Liu Y, Guo Y, Wang J, Liu H, Wang L, Li J, Liu A, Sun WQ, Wan P, Fu X. Integrated transcriptomics and proteomics assay identifies the role of FCGR1A in maintaining sperm fertilization capacity during semen cryopreservation in sheep. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1177774. [PMID: 37601105 PMCID: PMC10433746 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1177774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Semen cryopreservation is a promising technology employed in preserving high-quality varieties in animal husbandry and is also widely applied in the human sperm bank. However, the compromised qualities, such as decreased sperm motility, damaged membrane structure, and reduced fertilization competency, have significantly hampered the efficient application of this technique. Therefore, it is imperative to depict various molecular changes found in cryopreserved sperm and identify the regulatory network in response to the cryopreservation stress. In this study, semen was collected from three Chinese Merino rams and divided into untreated (fresh semen, FS) and programmed freezing (programmed freezing semen, PS) groups. After measuring different quality parameters, the ultra-low RNA-seq and tandem mass tag-based (TMT) proteome were conducted in both the groups. The results indicated that the motility (82.63% ± 3.55% vs. 34.10% ± 2.90%, p < 0.05) and viability (89.46% ± 2.53% vs. 44.78% ± 2.29%, p < 0.05) of the sperm in the FS group were significantly higher compared to those in the PS group. In addition, 45 upregulated and 291 downregulated genes, as well as 30 upregulated and 48 downregulated proteins, were found in transcriptomics and proteomics data separately. Moreover, three integrated methods, namely, functional annotation and enrichment analysis, Pearson's correlation analysis, and two-way orthogonal partial least squares (O2PLS) analysis, were used for further analysis. The results suggested that various differentially expressed genes and proteins (DEGs and DEPs) were mainly enriched in leishmaniasis and hematopoietic cell lineage, and Fc gamma receptor Ia (FCGR1A) was significantly downregulated in cryopreserved sperm both at mRNA and protein levels in comparison with the fresh counterpart. In addition, top five genes (FCGR1A, HCK, SLX4, ITGA3, and BET1) and 22 proteins could form a distinct network in which genes and proteins were significantly correlated (p < 0.05). Interestingly, FCGR1A also appeared in the top 25 correlation list based on O2PLS analysis. Hence, FCGR1A was selected as the most potential differentially expressed candidate for screening by the three integrated multi-omics analysis methods. In addition, Pearson's correlation analysis indicated that the expression level of FCGR1A was positively correlated with sperm motility and viability. A subsequent experiment was conducted to identify the biological role of FCGR1A in sperm function. The results showed that both the sperm viability (fresh group: 87.65% ± 4.17% vs. 75.8% ± 1.15%, cryopreserved group: 48.15% ± 0.63% vs. 42.45% ± 2.61%, p < 0.05) and motility (fresh group: 83.27% ± 4.15% vs. 70.41% ± 1.07%, cryopreserved group: 45.31% ± 3.28% vs. 35.13% ± 2.82%, p < 0.05) were significantly reduced in fresh and frozen sperm when FCGR1A was blocked. Moreover, the cleavage rate of embryos fertilized by FCGR1A-blocked sperm was noted to be significantly lower in both fresh (95.28% ± 1.16% vs. 90.44% ± 1.56%, p < 0.05) and frozen groups (89.8% ± 1.50% vs. 82.53% ± 1.53%, p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results revealed that the downregulated membrane protein FCGR1A can potentially contribute to the reduced sperm fertility competency in the cryopreserved sheep sperm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Bai
- Institute of Biothermal Science and Technology, School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Guizhen Zhou
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shaopeng Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China
| | - Yucheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Yanhua Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Hongtao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Longfei Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Medical Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Aiju Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Wendell Q. Sun
- Institute of Biothermal Science and Technology, School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengcheng Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Xiangwei Fu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Barbosa BB, Evangelista ITA, Soares ARB, Leão DL, Pereira RJG, Domingues SFS. Kinetic vitrification: concepts and perspectives in animal sperm cryopreservation. Anim Reprod 2023; 20:e20220096. [PMID: 37228692 PMCID: PMC10205064 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2022-0096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm cryopreservation is an important tool for genetic diversity management programs and the conservation of endangered breeds and species. The most widely used method of sperm conservation is slow freezing, however, during the process, sperm cells suffer from cryoinjury, which reduces their viability and fertility rates. One of the alternatives to slow freezing is vitrification, that consist on rapid freezing, in which viable cells undergo glass-like solidification. This technology requires large concentrations of permeable cryoprotectants (P- CPA's) which increase the viscosity of the medium to prevent intracellular ice formation during cooling and warming, obtaining successful results in vitrification of oocytes and embryos. Unfortunately, this technology failed when applied to vitrification of sperm due to its higher sensitivity to increasing concentrations of P-CPAs. Alternatively, a technique termed 'kinetic sperm vitrification' has been used and consists in a technique of permeant cryoprotectant-free cryopreservation by direct plunging of a sperm suspension into liquid nitrogen. Some of the advantages of kinetic vitrification are the speed of execution and no rate-controlled equipment required. This technique has been used successfully and with better results for motility in human (50-70% motility recovery), dog (42%), fish (82%) and donkey (21.7%). However, more studies are required to improve sperm viability after devitrification, especially when it comes to motility recovery. The objective of this review is to present the principles of kinetic vitrification, the main findings in the literature, and the perspectives for the utilization of this technique as a cryopreservation method.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Barreto Barbosa
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Medicina de Animais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal, PA, Brasil.
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde e Produção Animal na Amazônia, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Belém, PA, Brasil.
| | - Inara Tayná Alves Evangelista
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Medicina de Animais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal, PA, Brasil.
| | - Airton Renan Bastos Soares
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Medicina de Animais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal, PA, Brasil.
| | - Danuza Leite Leão
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Medicina de Animais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal, PA, Brasil.
- Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Tefé, AM, Brasil.
| | - Ricardo José Garcia Pereira
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
| | - Sheyla Farhayldes Souza Domingues
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Medicina de Animais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal, PA, Brasil.
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde e Produção Animal na Amazônia, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Belém, PA, Brasil.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cryopreservation of Human Spermatozoa: Functional, Molecular and Clinical Aspects. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054656. [PMID: 36902084 PMCID: PMC10002855 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryopreservation is an expanding strategy to allow not only fertility preservation for individuals who need such procedures because of gonadotoxic treatments, active duty in dangerous occupations or social reasons and gamete donation for couples where conception is denied, but also for animal breeding and preservation of endangered animal species. Despite the improvement in semen cryopreservation techniques and the worldwide expansion of semen banks, damage to spermatozoa and the consequent impairment of its functions still remain unsolved problems, conditioning the choice of the technique in assisted reproduction procedures. Although many studies have attempted to find solutions to limit sperm damage following cryopreservation and identify possible markers of damage susceptibility, active research in this field is still required in order to optimize the process. Here, we review the available evidence regarding structural, molecular and functional damage occurring in cryopreserved human spermatozoa and the possible strategies to prevent it and optimize the procedures. Finally, we review the results on assisted reproduction technique (ARTs) outcomes following the use of cryopreserved spermatozoa.
Collapse
|
7
|
Molecular Markers: A New Paradigm in the Prediction of Sperm Freezability. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043379. [PMID: 36834790 PMCID: PMC9960060 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
For decades now, sperm cryopreservation has been a pillar of assisted reproduction in animals as well as humans. Nevertheless, the success of cryopreservation varies across species, seasons, and latitudes and even within the same individual. With the dawn of progressive analytical techniques in the field of genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, new options for a more accurate semen quality assessment have become available. This review summarizes currently available information on specific molecular characteristics of spermatozoa that could predict their cryotolerance before the freezing process. Understanding the changes in sperm biology as a result of their exposure to low temperatures may contribute to the development and implementation of appropriate measures to assure high post-thaw sperm quality. Furthermore, an early prediction of cryotolerance or cryosensitivity may lead to the establishment of customized protocols interconnecting adequate sperm processing procedures, freezing techniques, and cryosupplements that are most feasible for the individual needs of the ejaculate.
Collapse
|
8
|
Chamayou S, Giacone F, Cannarella R, Guglielmino A. What Does Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Change in Embryonic Development? The Spermatozoon Contribution. J Clin Med 2023; 12:671. [PMID: 36675600 PMCID: PMC9867417 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12020671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique was invented to solve severe male infertility due to altered sperm parameters. Nowadays, it is applied worldwide for the treatment of couple infertility. ICSI is performed with any available spermatozoon from surgery or ejaculated samples, whatever are the sperm motility, morphology or quantity. The aim of the present review was to study if embryo development and kinetics would be modified by (1) ICSI under the technical aspects, (2) the micro-injected spermatozoa in connection with male infertility. From published data, it can be seen that ICSI anticipates the zygote kinetics Furthermore, because fertilization rate is higher in ICSI compared to conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF), more blastocysts are obtained for clinical use in ICSI. Sperm and spermatozoa characteristics, such as sperm parameters, morphology and vitality, DNA content (levels of sperm DNA fragmentation, microdeletions, and chromosomal abnormalities), RNA content, epigenetics, and sperm recovery site (testicular, epididymis, and ejaculated), have an impact on fertilization and blastocyst rates and embryo kinetics in different ways. Even though ICSI is the most common solution to solve couples' infertility, the causes of male infertility are crucial in building a competent spermatozoa that will contribute to normal embryonic development and healthy offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Chamayou
- Centro HERA—Unità di Medicina della Riproduzione, Via Barriera del Bosco, 51/53, Sant’Agata li Battiati, 95030 Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Giacone
- Centro HERA—Unità di Medicina della Riproduzione, Via Barriera del Bosco, 51/53, Sant’Agata li Battiati, 95030 Catania, Italy
| | - Rossella Cannarella
- Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Antonino Guglielmino
- Centro HERA—Unità di Medicina della Riproduzione, Via Barriera del Bosco, 51/53, Sant’Agata li Battiati, 95030 Catania, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wang W, Todorov P, Pei C, Wang M, Isachenko E, Rahimi G, Mallmann P, Isachenko V. Epigenetic Alterations in Cryopreserved Human Spermatozoa: Suspected Potential Functional Defects. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132110. [PMID: 35805194 PMCID: PMC9266127 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted on raw data, and alternative splicing (AS) events were found after mRNA sequencing of human spermatozoa. In this study, we aimed to compare unknown micro-epigenetics alternations in fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa to evaluate the effectivity of cryopreservation protocols. Methods: Spermatozoa were divided into three groups: fresh spermatozoa (group 1), cryoprotectant-free vitrified spermatozoa (group 2), and conventionally frozen spermatozoa (group 3). Nine RNA samples (three replicates in each group) were detected and were used for library preparation with an Illumina compatible kit and sequencing by the Illumina platform. Results: Three Gene Ontology (GO) terms were found to be enriched in vitrified spermatozoa compared with fresh spermatozoa: mitochondrial tRNA aminoacylation, ATP-dependent microtubule motor activity, and male meiotic nuclear division. In alternative splicing analysis, a number of unknown AS events were found, including functional gene exon skipping (SE), alternative 5′ splice sites (A5SS), alternative 3′ splice sites (A3SS), mutually exclusive exon (MXE), and retained intron (RI). Conclusions: Cryopreservation of spermatozoa from some patients can agitate epigenetic instability, including increased alternative splicing events and changes in crucial mitochondrial functional activities. For fertilization of oocytes, for such patients, it is recommended to use fresh spermatozoa whenever possible; cryopreservation of sperm is recommended to be used only in uncontested situations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wanxue Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (W.W.); (C.P.); (M.W.); (E.I.); (G.R.); (P.M.)
| | - Plamen Todorov
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Tsarigradsko highway 73A, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Cheng Pei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (W.W.); (C.P.); (M.W.); (E.I.); (G.R.); (P.M.)
| | - Mengying Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (W.W.); (C.P.); (M.W.); (E.I.); (G.R.); (P.M.)
| | - Evgenia Isachenko
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (W.W.); (C.P.); (M.W.); (E.I.); (G.R.); (P.M.)
| | - Gohar Rahimi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (W.W.); (C.P.); (M.W.); (E.I.); (G.R.); (P.M.)
| | - Peter Mallmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (W.W.); (C.P.); (M.W.); (E.I.); (G.R.); (P.M.)
| | - Vladimir Isachenko
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (W.W.); (C.P.); (M.W.); (E.I.); (G.R.); (P.M.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|