Current status of freeze-drying technology to preserve domestic animals sperm.
Abstract: In recent years, there has been an increased interest in new preservation techniques that facilitate sperm storage and distribution, with freeze-drying (FD) having been proposed as an alternative method for sperm preservation and maintenance of genetic resources in different animal species. FD is a method in which frozen material is dried by sublimation of ice, thereby involving a direct transition from a solid (ice) to a vapour (gas) phase. One of the main advantages of FD is that nitrogen and dry ice are no longer required for the storage and shipment of frozen sperm, which can be stored at room temperature or 4°C, thereby resulting in enormous reductions in storage and shipping costs. Unlike sperm cryopreserved after gradual freezing, the sperm membrane may be further damaged by both snap-freezing and drying stresses during the FD procedure. As mammalian spermatozoa lose their motility, viability and, at least partially, their DNA integrity when freeze-dried, they must be microinjected into an oocyte by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Although the efficiency of ICSI is limited when freeze-dried spermatozoa are used, embryos and live offspring can be produced. DNA fragmentation in freeze-dried spermatozoa is one of the main causes of failure of embryonic development and successful pregnancy. In this regard, it has been suggested that endonucleases are among the leading causes of DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa along with oxidative stress caused by the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Many factors influence the FD process, and it is not clear how FD affects specific components of sperm from different animal species. As such, a sound understanding of the FD process would result in increased production of embryos and/or live offspring. The aim of this review was to study the various stages and techniques used in the FD process and to further evaluate the results obtained.
© 2014 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2014-10-04 PubMed ID: 25277435DOI: 10.1111/rda.12396Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
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The research article provides an in-depth study on the concept of freeze-drying (FD) as a method for preserving sperm from different animal species. It examines the process of FD, its effects and viability, and how it contributes to maintaining genetic resources.
Overview of Freeze-Drying Technology
- The article begins by explaining the method of freeze-drying (FD) and its increasing importance in sperm preservation. FD is a method that dries frozen material by ice sublimation, where it changes directly from a solid to a gas phase.
- One of the primary advantages of FD is the absence of a need for nitrogen and dry ice for sperm storage and shipment, which significantly cuts costs. Sperm preserved via FD can be stored at room temperature or 4°C.
Challenges with Freeze-Drying Technology
- Despite the potential advantages of FD, the technique presents a few challenges. Mainly, the process can inflict further damage to the sperm membrane due to snap-freezing and drying.
- The freeze-drying process renders the spermatozoa immobile and, to some extent, impairs their DNA integrity. Therefore, such sperm must be microinjected into an oocyte via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for reproductive purposes.
- The research points out that while the efficiency of ICSI is limited when using freeze-dried sperm, successful production of embryos and live offspring has been achieved.
Impact on the Sperm DNA
- It’s emphasized that DNA fragmentation in freeze-dried sperm is a significant cause of embryonic development failure and unsuccessful pregnancy. The study suggests that endonucleases and oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species (ROS) release are primary causes of sperm DNA fragmentation.
- The authors argue that a profound understanding of how FD affects sperm components from different animal species can improve the production rate of embryos and live offspring.
Study Objectives and Approach
- The study aims to scrutinize different stages and techniques used in the FD process, and the results obtained thus far. By building a deeper understanding of this method, researchers hope to optimize the process for enhanced storage and reproduction results.
Cite This Article
APA
Gil L, Olaciregui M, Luño V, Malo C, González N, Martínez F.
(2014).
Current status of freeze-drying technology to preserve domestic animals sperm.
Reprod Domest Anim, 49 Suppl 4, 72-81.
https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.12396 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Obstetric and Reproduction Area, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Domestic
- Cats
- Cattle
- DNA Fragmentation
- Dogs
- Embryonic Development
- Female
- Freeze Drying
- Horses
- Male
- Mice
- Microinjections
- Oocytes
- Pregnancy
- Rabbits
- Rats
- Semen Preservation / methods
- Semen Preservation / veterinary
- Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / methods
- Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / veterinary
- Spermatozoa
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