Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-09T00:34:55.105Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Chapter 10 - Sperm Cryopreservation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 February 2022

David Mortimer
Affiliation:
Oozoa Biomedical Inc., Vancouver
Lars Björndahl
Affiliation:
Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
Christopher L. R. Barratt
Affiliation:
University of Dundee
José Antonio Castilla
Affiliation:
HU Virgen de las Nieves, Granada
Roelof Menkveld
Affiliation:
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Ulrik Kvist
Affiliation:
Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
Juan G. Alvarez
Affiliation:
Centro ANDROGEN, La Coruña
Trine B. Haugen
Affiliation:
Oslo Metropolitan University
Get access

Summary

The basic princples of cryobiology are described for both slow freezing and vitrification of spermatozoa. Specific aspects of cryopreserving human spermatozoa are discussed in detail, incluidng the formulation of cryopreservation media and their proper use. Alternative packaging devices are discussed in relation to the achievement of correct cooling and warming curves as well as effective biocontainment. High security straws are recommended as the best method to use from both perspectives, and a standard operating procedure (SOP) for easy use at the bench is provided. SOPs for human sperm vitrification techniques are also gven. Quality control and risk management aspects of sperm freezing and for cryobank organzation are described. Finally, there is a section on sperm donation.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arav, A, Natan, Y. The near future of vitrification of oocytes and embryos: looking into past experience and planning into the future. Transfus Med Hemother 2019; 46: 182–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Öztürk, AE, Bucak, MN, Bodu, M, et al. Cryobiology and cryopreservation of sperm. In: Quain, M ed., Cryopreservation. Current Advances and Evaluations. London: InTechOpen, 2020. www.intechopen.com/books/cryopreservation-current-advances-and-evaluations/cryobiology-and-cryopreservation-of-spermGoogle Scholar
Fahy, GM, Wowk, B. Principles of cryopreservation by vitrification. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1257: 2182.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yeste, M, Morató, R, Rodríguez-Gil, JE, et al. Aquaporins in the male reproductive tract and sperm: functional implications and cryobiology. Reprod Domest Anim 2017; 52: 1227.Google Scholar
Morris, GJ, Acton, E, Murray, BJ, Fonseca, F. Freezing injury: the special case of the sperm cell. Cryobiology 2012; 64: 7180.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fuller, B, Paynter, S. Fundamentals of cryobiology in reproductive medicine. Reprod Biomed Online 2004; 9: 680–91.Google Scholar
Mazur, P, Leibo, SP, Farrant, J, et al. Interactions of cooling rate, warming rate and protective additive on the survival of frozen mammalian cells. In: Wolstenholme, GE, O’Connor, M, eds., The Frozen Cell. London: Churchill Press, 1970, 6988.Google Scholar
Nei, T. Mechanism of haemolysis of erythrocytes by freezing, with special reference to freezing at near-zero temperatures. In: Wolstenholme, GE, O’Connor, M, eds., The Frozen Cell. London: Churchill Press, 1970, 131–47.Google Scholar
Merryman, HT. The exceeding of a minimum tolerable cell volume in hypertonic suspension as a cause of freezing injury. In: Wolstenholme, GE, O’Connor, M, eds., The Frozen Cell. London: Churchill Press, 1970, 565–9.Google Scholar
Nijs, M, Ombelet, W. Cryopreservation of human sperm. Hum Fertil 2001; 4: 158–63.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thomson, LK, Fleming, SD, Aitken, RJ, De Iuliis, GN, Zieschang, JA, Clark, AM. Cryopreservation-induced human sperm DNA damage is predominantly mediated by oxidative stress rather than apoptosis. Hum Reprod 2009; 24: 2061–70.Google Scholar
Schulz, M, Risopatrón, J, Uribe, P, et al. Human sperm vitrification: a scientific report. Andrology 2020; 8: 1642–50.Google Scholar
Gao, D, Liu, J, Liu, C, et al. Prevention of osmotic injury to human spermatozoa during addition and removal of glycerol. Hum Reprod 1995; 10: 1109–22.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Isachenko, E, Isachenko, V, Sanchez, R, et al. Cryopreservation of spermatozoa: old routine and new perspectives. In: Donnez, J, Kim, SS, eds., Principles and Practice of Fertility Preservation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011, 176–98.Google Scholar
Tao, Y, Sanger, E, Saewu, A, Leveille, MC. Human sperm vitrification: the state of the art. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2020; 18: 17.Google Scholar
Isachenko, V, Maettner, R, Petrunkina, AM, et al. Cryoprotectant-free vitrification of human spermatozoa in large (up to 0.5 ml) volume: a novel technology. Clin Lab 2011; 57: 643–50.Google Scholar
Mansilla, MA, Merino, O, Risopatrón, J, et al. High temperature is essential for preserved human sperm function during the devitrification process. Andrologia 2016; 48: 111–13.Google Scholar
Gilmore, JA, Liu, J, Gao, DY, et al. Determination of optimal cryoprotectants and procedures for their addition and removal from human spermatozoa. Hum Reprod 1997; 12: 112–18.Google Scholar
Mortimer, D. Practical Laboratory Andrology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1994, 301–23.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Centola, GM, Raubertas, RF, Mattox, JH. Cryopreservation of human semen. Comparison of cryopreservatives, sources of variability, and prediction of post-thaw survival. J Androl 1992; 13: 283–8.Google Scholar
Keel, BA, Webster, BW. Semen cryopreservation methodology and results. In: Barratt, CLR, Cooke, ID, eds., Donor Insemination. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993, 7196.Google Scholar
Barratt, CL, Clements, S, Kessopoulou, E. Semen characteristics and fertility tests required for storage of spermatozoa. Hum Reprod 1998; 13 Suppl 2: 17.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yogev, L, Kleiman, S, Shabtai, E, et al. Seasonal variations in pre- and post-thaw donor sperm quality. Hum Reprod 2004; 19: 880–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Holt, WV. Basic aspects of frozen storage of semen. Anim Reprod Sci 2000; 62: 322.Google Scholar
Amidi, F, Pazhohan, A, Shabani Nashtaei, M, et al. The role of antioxidants in sperm freezing: a review. Cell Tissue Bank 2016; 17: 745–56.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Len, JS, Koh, WSD, Tan, SX. The roles of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants in cryopreservation. Biosci Rep 2019; 39: BSR20191601.Google Scholar
Jannatifar, R, Piroozmanesh, H, Naserpoor, L. Supplementation of freezing media with cyclic adenosine monophosphate analog and isobutylmethylxanthine on sperm quality. Res Mol Med 2020; 8: 201–8.Google Scholar
Stacey, G. Validation of cell culture media components. Hum Fertil 2004; 7: 113–18.Google Scholar
Nallella, KP, Sharma, KK, Allamaneni, SS, et al. Cryopreservation of human spermatozoa: comparison of two cryopreservation methods and three cryoprotectants. Fertil Steril 2004; 82: 913–18.Google Scholar
Banihani, SA, Alawneh, RF. Human semen samples with high antioxidant reservoir may exhibit lower post-cryopreservation recovery of sperm motility. Biomolecules 2019; 9: 111.Google Scholar
Mortimer, D. Current and future concepts and practices in human sperm cryobanking. Reprod Biomed Online 2004; 9: 134–51.Google Scholar
Stanic, P, Tandara, M, Sonicki, Z, et al. Comparison of protective media and freezing techniques for cryopreservation of human semen. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2000; 91: 6570.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Morris, J. Asymptote Cool Guide to Cryopreservation. Cambridge: Asymptote Ltd 2002. https://docplayer.net/64129364-Asymptote-guide-to-cryopreservation.html [last accessed 25 August 2021].Google Scholar
Henry, MA, Noiles, EE, Gao, D, et al. Cryopreservation of human spermatozoa. IV. The effects of cooling rate and warming rate on the maintenance of motility, plasma membrane integrity, and mitochondrial function. Fertil Steril 1993; 60: 911–18.Google Scholar
Isachenko, V, Isachenko, E, Katkov, II, et al. Cryoprotectant-free cryopreservation of human spermatozoa by vitrification and freezing in vapor: effect on motility, DNA integrity, and fertilization ability. Biol Reprod 2004; 71: 1167–73.Google Scholar
Calamera, JC, Buffone, MG, Doncel, GF, et al. Effect of thawing temperature on the motility recovery of cryopreserved human spermatozoa. Fertil Steril 2010; 93: 789–94.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wang, M, Isachenko, E, Todorov, P, et al. Aseptic technology for cryoprotectant-free vitrification of human spermatozoa by direct dropping into clean liquid air: apoptosis, necrosis, motility, and viability. Biomed Res Int 2020; 2934315.Google Scholar
Shah, D, Rasappan, Shila, Gunasekaran, K. A simple method of human sperm vitrification. MethodsX 2019; 6: 2198–204.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Berkovitz, A, Miller, N, Silberman, M, et al. A novel solution for freezing small numbers of spermatozoa using a sperm vitrification device. Hum Reprod 2018; 33: 1975–83.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Le, MT, Nguyen, TTT, Nguyen, TT, et al. Cryopreservation of human spermatozoa by vitrification versus conventional rapid freezing: effects on motility, viability, morphology and cellular defects. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2019; 234: 1420.Google Scholar
Cassou, R. La méthode des paillettes en plastique adaptée a la généralisation de la congélation. 5th Int Cong Anim Reprod Artif Insem Trento 1964; 4: 540–6.Google Scholar
Cryo Bio System. CBS™ High Security Cryobanking Systems Product Monograph. L’Aigle. CryoBioSystem 2021. www.cryobiosystem.com/cbs-high-security-cryobanking-systems-product-monograph/ [last accessed 25 August 2021].Google Scholar
Russell, PH, Lyaruu, VH, Millar, JD, et al. The potential transmission of infectious agents by semen packaging during storage for artificial insemination. Anim Reprod Sci 1997; 47: 337–42.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Liu, S, Li, F. Cryopreservation of single sperm: where are we today? Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2020; 18: 4152.Google Scholar
Tyler, JP, Kime, L, Cooke, S, et al. Temperature change in cryo-containers during short exposure to ambient temperatures. Hum Reprod 1996; 11: 1510–12.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Byers, KB. Risks associated with liquid nitrogen cryogenic storage systems. J Am Biol Safety Assoc 1998; 3: 143–6.Google Scholar
Clarke, GN. Sperm cryopreservation: is there a significant risk of cross-contamination? Hum Reprod 1999; 14: 2941–3.Google Scholar
Nalge Nunc International. Cryopreservation Manual. Rochester: Nalge Nunc International Corporation (now part of Thermo Fisher), 1998.Google Scholar
Wood, MJ. The problems of storing gametes and embryos. Cryo-Letters 1999; 20: 155–8.Google Scholar
Tedder, RS, Zuckerman, MA, Goldstone, AH, et al. Hepatitis B transmission from contaminated cryopreservation tank. Lancet 1995; 346: 137–40.Google Scholar
Tomlinson, M, Sakkas, D. Is a review of standard procedures for cryopreservation needed? Safe and effective cryopreservation – should sperm banks and fertility centres move towards storage in nitrogen vapour? Hum Reprod 2000; 15: 2460–3.Google Scholar
Mortimer, D. Setting up risk management systems in IVF laboratories. Clinical Risk 2004; 10: 128–37.Google Scholar
Mortimer, ST, Mortimer, D. Quality and Risk Management in the IVF Laboratory, 2nd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015.Google Scholar
Parmegiani, L, Accorsi, A, Cognigni, GE, et al. Sterilization of liquid nitrogen with ultraviolet irradiation for safe vitrification of human oocytes or embryos. Fertil Steril 2010; 94: 1525–8.Google Scholar
Isachenko, V, Rahimi, G, Mallmann, P, et al. Technologies of cryoprotectant-free vitrification of human spermatozoa: asepticity as criterion of effectiveness. Andrology 2017; 5: 1055–63.Google Scholar
Elder, K, Baker, D, Ribes, J. Infections, Infertility and Assisted Reproduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005.Google Scholar
Carrell, DT, Cartmill, D, Jones, KP, et al. Prospective randomized, blinded evaluation of donor semen quality provided by seven commercial sperm banks. Fertil Steril 2002; 78: 1621.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Castilla, JA, Sánchez-León, M, Garrido, A, et al. Procedure control and acceptance sampling for donor sperm banks: a theoretical study. Cell Tissue Bank 2007; 8: 257–65.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chan, CC, Chen, IC, Liu, JY, et al. Comparison of nitric oxide production motion characteristics of sperm after cryopreserved in three different preparations. Arch Androl 2004; 50: 13.Google Scholar
Grizard, G, Chevalier, V, Griveau, JF, et al. Influence of seminal plasma on cryopreservation of human spermatozoa in a biological material-free medium: study of normal low-quality semen. Int J Androl 1999; 22: 190–6.Google Scholar
Palomar Rios, A, Gascón, A, Martínez, JV, et al. Sperm preparation after freezing improves motile sperm count, motility, and viability in frozen-thawed sperm compared with sperm preparation before freezing-thawing process. J Assist Reprod Genet 2018; 35: 237–45.Google Scholar
Cohen, J, Garrisi, GJ, Congedo-Ferrara, TA, et al. Cryopreservation of single human spermatozoa. Hum Reprod 1997; 12: 9941001.Google Scholar
David, G, Czyglik, F, Mayaux, MJ, et al. Artificial insemination with frozen sperm: protocol, method of analysis and results for 1188 women. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1980; 87: 1022–8.Google Scholar
Le Lannou, D, Thepot, F, Jouannet, P. Multicentre approaches to donor insemination in the French CECOS Federation: nationwide evaluation donor matching, screening for genetic diseases and consanguinity. Hum Reprod 1998; 13 Suppl 2: 3554.Google Scholar
Ofeim, O, Brown, TA, Gilbert, BR. Effects of serial thaw-refreeze cycles on human sperm motility and viability. Fertil Steril 2001; 75: 1242–3.Google Scholar
Isachenko, E, Mallmann, P, Rahimi, G, et al. Vitrification technique: new possibilities for male gamete low-temperature storage. In: Katkov, I ed., Current Frontiers in Cryobiology. London: InTechOpen, 2012, 4176. Available at www.intechopen.com/books/current-frontiers-in-cryobiology/vitrification-of-fish-and-dog-spermatozoa [last accessed 25 August 2021].Google Scholar
Bennet, J, Grout, B. Operating a Successful Cryopreservation Facility. Sunbury (UK): Planer plc, 2018. See www.planer.com.Google Scholar
Igbokwe, N, Tomlinson, M. The use of radio frequency identification (RFID) and track and trace technology in reducing the risks and cost of sperm cryopreservation. Ann Clin Lab Res 2020; 8: 308.Google Scholar
Sanchez, R, Risopatrón, J, Schulz, M, et al. Vitrified sperm banks: the new aseptic technique for human spermatozoa allows cryopreservation at -86°C. Andrologia 2012; 44: 433–5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
European Union 2004. Directive 2004/23/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on setting standards of quality and safety for the donation, procurement, testing, processing, preservation, storage, and distribution of human tissues and cells. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:32004L0023 [last accessed 25 August 2021].Google Scholar
European Union Commission. Commission Directive (EU) 2015/565 of 8 April 2015 amending Directive 2006/86/EC as regards certain technical requirements for the coding of human tissues and cells. Official Journal of the European Union L 93/43. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32015L0565&from=EN [last accessed 25 August 2021].Google Scholar
Mortimer, D. A critical assessment of the impact of the European Union Tissues and Cells Directive (2004) on laboratory practices in assisted conception. Reprod Biomed Online 2005; 11: 162–76.Google ScholarPubMed
The ESHRE Task Force on Ethics and Law. Taskforce 7: Ethical considerations for the cryopreservation of gametes and reproductive tissues for self use. Hum Reprod 2004; 19: 460–2.Google Scholar
Szell, AZ, Bierbaum, RC, Hazelrigg, WB, Chetkowski, RJ. Live births from frozen human semen stored for 40 years. J Assist Reprod Genet 2013; 30: 743–4.Google Scholar
Janssens, PM, Thorn, P, Castilla, JA, et al. Evolving minimum standards in responsible international sperm donor offspring quota. Reprod Biomed Online 2015; 30: 568–80.Google Scholar
European Union Commission. Commission Directive 2006/17/EC of 8 February 2006 implementing Directive 2004/23/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards certain technical requirements for the donation, procurement and testing of human tissues and cells. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32006L0017 [last accessed 25 August 2021].Google Scholar
US Food & Drug Administration. Tissue & Tissue Products. www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/tissue-tissue-products [last accessed 25 August 2021].Google Scholar
Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Practice Committee of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. Guidance regarding gamete and embryo donation. Fertil Steril 2021; 115: 1395–410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.01.045Google Scholar
Government of Canada. Safety of Sperm and Ova Regulations (SOR/2019–192). https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2019-192/index.htmlGoogle Scholar
Health Canada Directive. Technical requirements for conducting the suitability assessment of sperm and ova donors. Ottawa (Canada): Health Canada 2019. Available at: www.canada.ca/content/dam/hc-sc/documents/services/publications/drugs-health-products/technical-directive-sperm-ova-donors/technical-directive-sperm-ova-donors-en.pdf [last accessed 25 August 2021].Google Scholar
Clarke, H, Harrison, S, Perez, MJ, Kirkman-Brown J on behalf of the Association of Clinical Embryologists, the Association of Biomedical Andrologists, the British Fertility Society, and the British Andrology Society. UK guidelines for the medical and laboratory procurement and use of sperm, oocyte and embryo donors (2019). Hum Fertil 2019; 113. https://doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2019.1622040Google Scholar
EDQM (European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare of the Council of Europe). Guide to the quality and safety of tissues and cells for human application. Strasbourg: 4° ed Council of Europe, 2019. https://register.edqm.eu/freepub [last accessed 25 August 2021].Google Scholar
Katkov, I, Bolyukh, V, Chernetsov, OA, et al. Kinetic vitrification of spermatozoa of vertebrates: what can we learn from nature? In: Katkov, I ed., Current Frontiers in Cryobiology. London: InTechOpen, 2012, 140. Available at: www.intechopen.com/books/current-frontiers-in-cryobiology/kinetic-vitrfiication-of-sperm-of-vertebrates-what-can-we-learn-from-nature- [last accessed 25 August 2021].CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×