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Custom cryopreservation of human semen.
T F Kolon1, K A Philips, J P Buch
1Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030-3955.
Fertility and Sterility
|November 1, 1992
Summary
Human seminal plasma varies in its ability to protect sperm during cryopreservation. A simple test can determine the optimal buffer-to-seminal plasma ratio for preserving sperm motility.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Sperm Cryopreservation
- Andrology
Background:
- Native seminal plasma plays a role in sperm cryoprotection.
- Individual variability exists in the efficacy of seminal plasma for sperm cryopreservation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a protocol for assessing individual differences in human semen cryoprotection using native seminal plasma.
- To determine the optimal ratio of seminal plasma to cryopreservation buffer for maximizing post-thaw sperm motility.
Main Methods:
- Semen samples from donors and infertile patients were cryopreserved using varying ratios of seminal plasma to TEST-yolk buffer.
- Post-thaw sperm motility was measured to evaluate the cryoprotective effect of different seminal plasma concentrations.
- A dose-titration curve approach was employed to standardize the evaluation.
Main Results:
- 70% of specimens showed optimal cryoprotection with a 50% seminal plasma concentration.
- 30% of specimens achieved best preservation with 100% seminal plasma.
- Patient samples preferred a 50% seminal plasma ratio, while donor samples showed no preference between 50% and 100%.
Conclusions:
- Native seminal plasma exhibits variable cryoprotective properties.
- Customized cryopreservation protocols, by adjusting the seminal plasma to buffer ratio, can compensate for individual variability.
- A simple two-point titration test (50:50 vs. 0:100) can identify the optimal cryopreservation mixture for individual semen samples.