Effect of thawing temperature on the motility recovery of cryopreserved human spermatozoa

• Published in: Fertility and sterility Vol. 93; no. 3; pp. 789 - 794
• Main Authors: Calamera, Juan C., Ph.D, Buffone, Mariano G., Ph.D, Doncel, Gustavo F., M.D., Ph.D, Brugo-Olmedo, Santiago, M.D, de Vincentiis, Sabrina, M.S, Calamera, Maria M., M.S, Storey, Bayard T., Ph.D, Alvarez, Juan G., M.D., Ph.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-02-2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acrosome - physiology; Adenosine Triphosphate - metabolism; Adult; ATP; Biological and medical sciences; Cryopreservation; Cryopreservation - methods; DNA Damage; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; human sperm; Humans; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Infertility, Male - therapy; Internal Medicine; Male; Medical sciences; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Sperm Motility - physiology; Spermatozoa - cytology; Spermatozoa - physiology; Temperature; Young Adult; human sperm; temperature; Cryopreservation; ATP; DNA damage; Human; Spermatozoa; Temperature; Motility; Semen; Gynecology; Thawing; Obstetrics; Recovery; DNA
• ISSN: 0015-0282; 1556-5653
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.10.021

Objective To investigate the effects of thawing temperature on sperm function after cryopreservation. The technical aspects of sperm cryopreservation have significantly improved over the last few decades. However, a standard protocol designed to optimize sperm motility recovery after thawing has not yet been established. Design Prospective study. Setting Private infertility institute and university-based research laboratory. Patient(s) Eighty consenting normozoospermic patients consulting for infertility. Intervention(s) Spermatozoa from donor semen samples were thawed at different temperatures. Main Outcome Measure(s) Sperm motility, viability, adenosine-5'-triphosphate ( ATP) content, acrosomal status, and DNA integrity were evaluated as a function of thawing temperature in cryopreserved human sperm samples. Result(s) Thawing at 40°C resulted in a statistically significant increase in sperm motility recovery compared with thawing at temperatures between 20°C and 37°C. There were no statistically significant differences in sperm viability, acrosomal status, ATP content, and DNA integrity after thawing at 40°C compared with thawing at temperatures between 20°C and 37°C. Conclusion(s) Sperm thawing at 40°C could be safely used to improve motility recovery after sperm cryopreservation.