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Mouse Sperm Cryopreservation and Recovery using the I·Cryo Kit
Published on: December 12, 2011
Supplementation of cryomedium with ascorbic acid-2-glucoside (AA2G) improves human sperm post-thaw motility
Timothy G Jenkins1, Kenneth I Aston, Douglas T Carrell
1Andrology and IVF Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, USA.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy of ascorbic acid-2-glucoside (AA2G) supplementation in cryomedium to improve human sperm motility preservation through the freeze-thaw process.
Design:
Prospective research study.
Setting:
University-based andrology laboratory.
Patient(S):
One hundred thirty-four patients attending the andrology laboratory for a regular semen analysis between April 2009 and May 2010.
Intervention(S):
Supplementation of cryomedium with ascorbate or AA2G.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Endogenous semen ascorbic acid concentrations, semen lipid peroxidation levels, progressive sperm motility.
Result(S):
AA2G-supplemented samples showed improved sperm motility preservation after freezing compared with control samples. No significant difference was found in motility preservation between control samples and those supplemented with ascorbate.
Conclusion(S):
Our data indicate that AA2G confers a protective effect on human sperm motility preservation through the freeze-thaw cycle. This same effect was not seen with ascorbate. Further investigation is required to elucidate a concrete mechanism of action.
