Effects of magnetic-activated cell sorting on sperm motility and cryosurvival rates.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of magnetic-activated cell sorting in cryopreservation-thawing protocols on sperm motility and cryosurvival rate.


METHODS
Prospective-controlled study.


METHODS
Andrology department at a university-based medical institution.


METHODS
Ten healthy volunteer sperm donors.


METHODS
Sperm populations were separated using annexin-V magnetic-activated cell sorting before and after the cryopreservation-thawing process.


METHODS
Sperm motility and cryosurvival rate.


RESULTS
Annexin-negative sperm separated by magnetic-activated cell sorting had statistically significantly higher motility following cryopreservation-thawing than sperm that were not separated. Similarly, annexin-negative spermatozoa also had higher cryosurvival rate than sperm cryopreserved without magnetic-activated cell sorting and sperm that were annexin-positive.


CONCLUSIONS
Superparamagnetic annexin V-conjugated microbeads can separate spermatozoa with externalized phosphatidylserine, which is considered one of the early features of late apoptosis. The separation of a distinctive population of nonapoptotic spermatozoa with intact membranes may optimize the cryopreservation-thawing outcome. Magnetic-activated cell sorting using annexin-V microbeads enhances sperm motility and cryosurvival rates following cryopreservation.
Said
Tamer M
TM
Center for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction, Infertility and Sexual Function, Glickman Urological Institute, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Grunewald
Sonja
S
Paasch
Uwe
U
Rasch
Manja
M
Agarwal
Ashok
A
Glander
Hans-Juergen
HJ
D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology*