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Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2015; 50 Suppl 3; 20-26; doi: 10.1111/rda.12594

Sperm Membrane Behaviour during Cooling and Cryopreservation.

Abstract: Native sperm is only marginally stable after collection. Cryopreservation of semen facilitates transport and storage for later use in artificial reproduction technologies, but cryopreservation processing may result in cellular damage compromising sperm function. Membranes are thought to be the primary site of cryopreservation injury. Therefore, insights into the effects of cooling, ice formation and protective agents on sperm membranes may help to rationally design cryopreservation protocols. In this review, we describe membrane phase behaviour of sperm at supra- and subzero temperatures. In addition, factors affecting membrane phase transitions and stability, sperm osmotic tolerance limits and mode of action of cryoprotective agents are discussed. It is shown how cooling only results in minor thermotropic non-cooperative phase transitions, whereas freezing causes sharp lyotropic fluid-to-gel phase transitions. Membrane cholesterol content affects suprazero membrane phase behaviour and osmotic tolerance. The rate and extent of cellular dehydration coinciding with freezing-induced membrane phase transitions are affected by the cooling rate and ice nucleation temperature and can be modulated by cryoprotective agents. Permeating agents such as glycerol can move across cellular membranes, whereas non-permeating agents such as sucrose cannot. Both, permeating and non-permeating protectants preserve biomolecular and cellular structures by forming a protective glassy state during freezing.
© 2015 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2015-09-19 PubMed ID: 26382025DOI: 10.1111/rda.12594Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article presents a detailed analysis of the effect of cooling and cryopreservation techniques on sperm membranes, providing insights on possible improvements for storage and transport of semen for use in artificial reproduction technologies.

Sperm Membrane Behaviour and Cryopreservation

  • The paper begins by highlighting that the native sperm is only marginally stable after collection, necessitating cryopreservation techniques for storage and transport. However, the process can cause cellular damage to the sperm, thus compromising its function.
  • Emphasis is given to the sperm’s membranes, which are considered the primary site of cryopreservation related injury. Understanding how cooling, ice formation, and protective agents impact these membranes is crucial for designing efficient cryopreservation protocols.

Membrane Phase Behaviour & Factors Affecting Stability

  • The article goes on to discuss the changes in membrane phase behaviour of sperm at temperatures above and below the freezing point. Important factors that impact these phase transitions and membrane stability, such as sperm osmotic tolerance limits and action of cryoprotective agents, are also analysed.
  • It’s pointed out that cooling only leads to minor phase transitions in the membrane, while freezing precipitates fluid-to-gel phase transitions.

Role of Cholesterol and Cellular Dehydration

  • Cholesterol content in the membrane influences its phase behaviour and osmotic tolerance at temperatures above zero.
  • Cooling rate and ice nucleation temperature play prominent roles in the degree and rate of cellular dehydration that occurs with freeze-induced membrane phase transitions. However, these effects can be modulated with the use of cryoprotective agents.

Cryoprotective Agents: Permeating vs. Non-permeating

  • The research paper also touches upon the role of cryoprotective agents, distinguishing between permeating (e.g., glycerol) and non-permeating agents (e.g., sucrose).
  • The former can move across cellular membranes while the latter can’t. Both types of protectants preserve the structure of the cell and biomolecules by forming a protective glass-like state during freezing. A deeper understanding of these agents could lead to improvements in cryopreservation protocols.

Cite This Article

APA
Sieme H, Oldenhof H, Wolkers WF. (2015). Sperm Membrane Behaviour during Cooling and Cryopreservation. Reprod Domest Anim, 50 Suppl 3, 20-26. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.12594

Publication

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 50 Suppl 3
Pages: 20-26

Researcher Affiliations

Sieme, H
  • Clinic for Horses - Unit for Reproductive Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
Oldenhof, H
  • Clinic for Horses - Unit for Reproductive Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
Wolkers, W F
  • Institute of Multiphase Processes, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / physiology
  • Cell Membrane / ultrastructure
  • Cryopreservation / veterinary
  • Cryoprotective Agents
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Osmotic Pressure / physiology
  • Phase Transition
  • Semen Preservation / adverse effects
  • Semen Preservation / methods
  • Semen Preservation / veterinary
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Sperm Motility
  • Spermatozoa / physiology
  • Spermatozoa / ultrastructure
  • Temperature

Citations

This article has been cited 41 times.
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