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Cryopreservation of Human Spermatozoa: Functional, Molecular and Clinical Aspects

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Publisher

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054656

Keywords

sperm cryopreservation; fertility preservation; sperm DNA damage; assisted reproduction; gonadotoxic treatments; cryoprotectants

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Cryopreservation is an expanding strategy for fertility preservation, animal breeding, and endangered species preservation. Despite improvements in semen cryopreservation techniques, damage to spermatozoa and its impairment of function remain unsolved problems. Active research is needed to optimize the cryopreservation process and prevent sperm damage. This review discusses the evidence of structural, molecular, and functional damage in cryopreserved human spermatozoa and strategies to prevent it, as well as the outcomes of assisted reproduction techniques using cryopreserved spermatozoa.
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.

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