Cryopreservation of human spermatozoa: comparison of two cryopreservation methods and three cryoprotectants.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the ability of two cryopreservation methods and three cryoprotectants to preserve sperm quality.


METHODS
A prospective clinical study.


METHODS
Male infertility clinic at a tertiary healthcare center.


METHODS
Twenty infertile men and 10 healthy donors.


METHODS
In the first experiment, semen was cryopreserved by either the Irvine Scientific method (IS) or the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF) method. In the second experiment, semen was cryopreserved by the IS method and one of three cryoprotectants: TES and Tris yolk buffer, Sperm Freezing Medium, or Enhance Sperm Freeze.


METHODS
Postthaw sperm motility, cryosurvival, and kinematics.


RESULTS
Percentages of postthaw sperm motility and cryosurvival were higher in the IS cryopreservation method compared with in the CCF method (15.94 +/- 9.19 vs. 12.07 +/- 7.31 and 47.42 +/- 17.44 vs. 35.76 +/- 17.56). However, the CCF method resulted in significantly better sperm kinematics. Postthaw motility in the donors and patients was highest in the samples frozen in TES and Tris yolk buffer medium.


CONCLUSIONS
The IS method was associated with more flash freezing compared with the CCF method and resulted in better preservation of sperm motility and a higher cryosurvival rate. TES and Tris yolk buffer was most effective at protecting sperm from the negative effects of the cryopreservation process. This may be due to the presence of egg yolk along with glycerol.
Center for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction, Infertility and Sexual Function, Glickman Urological Institute and Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Kiran P
KP
Nallella
Rakesh K
RK
Sharma
Shyam S R
SS
Allamaneni
Nabil
N
Aziz
Ashok
A
Agarwal
D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology
D003451:Cryoprotective Agents