Journal
REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
Volume 21, Issue 4, Pages 456-462Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2010.05.011
Keywords
apoptosis; caspase; cryopreservation; DNA; phosphatidylserine; spermatozoa
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Apoptosis is an ongoing physiological phenomenon that has been documented to play a role in male infertility, if deregulated. Caspase activation, externalization of phosphatidylserine, alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA fragmentation are markers of apoptosis found in ejaculated human spermatozoa. These markers appear in excess in subfertile men and functionally incompetent spermatozoa. Sperm cryopreservation is a widely used procedure in the context of assisted reproductive techniques. Cryopreservation and thawing is a procedure that inflicts irreversible injury on human spermatozoa. The damage is manifested by a decrease in recovery of viable spermatozoa with optimum fertilization potential. This review describes the implication of apoptosis as one of the possible mechanisms involved in sperm cryoinjury. Evidence shows significant increase in some apoptosis markers following cryopreservation and thawing. On the other hand, the increase in sperm DNA fragmentation following cryopreservation and thawing requires further investigation. Specific technical measures should be applied to minimize the induction of apoptosis in human spermatozoa during cryopreservation and thawing. These include standardization of freezing protocols and cryoprotectant use. Selection of non-apoptotic spermatozoa may also prove to be of benefit. (C) 2010, Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available