title: Effect of cryopreservation on the nuclear chromatin decondensation ability of human spermatozoa.
abstract: The possible effect of cryopreservation on human sperm chromatin decondensation ability has been investigated. Comparisons of the actions of the decondensation-inducing agent 1% (w/v) sodium dodecyl sulphate + 6 mM EDTA were made on 30 ejaculates between spermatozoa in seminal plasma, spermatozoa in semen diluted with cryoprotective medium (CPM) and spermatozoa frozen and thawed in the semen-CPM mixture. The results, analyzed as paired series, showed no significant differences between the spermatozoa under the three treatment conditions. Thus, spermatozoa cryopreserved by a method routinely used for semen storage for subsequent artificial insemination showed a nuclear stability equivalent to that of fresh semen. The CPM by itself had no effect upon chromatin instability. No correlation was found between the percentage recovery of post-thaw motility (an usual index for judging semen cryopreservation) and the tests of chromatin decondensation.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002843:Chromatin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011309:Preservation, Biological; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; D004492:Edetic Acid