Sperm vacuoles are not modified by freezing--thawing procedures
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
Cryopreservation of Zebrafish Spermatogonia by Whole Testes Needle Immersed Ultra-Rapid Cooling
Published on: March 4, 2018
Nicolas Gatimel1, Roger Leandri, Jean Parinaud
1Centre d'Assistance Médicale à la Procréation, Hôpital Paule de Viguier, 330 avenue de Grande Bretagne, 31059 Toulouse, France.
Abstract:
Since the development of the motile sperm organellar morphology examination (MSOME) in 2001 for observing the cephalic vacuoles at high magnification, no study as yet assessed the effect of cryopreservation on these vacuoles, although sperm freezing-thawing procedures are known to affect sperm quality. Examination of the vacuoles before and after freezing-thawing would indicate whether the same normality criteria can be applied for frozen as for fresh spermatozoa when performing intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection. In 27 sperm samples from fertile men, analysis of conventional sperm parameters (motility, vitality, percentage of normal forms) and a morphological analysis at high magnification (×6000) using image analysis software was performed before freezing and after thawing. Whereas there were expected decreases in motility (P<0.0001), vitality (P<0.001) and percentage of normal forms (P<0.05) after cryopreservation, there was no evidence for any difference in any vacuolar criteria (relative vacuole area, total vacuole area, vacuole area in the anterior, median and basal parts of the head, percentage of spermatozoa with a vacuole area ≤6.5% and percentage of spermatozoa with a vacuole area >13%). Freezing-thawing procedures have no effect on human sperm vacuoles.
Insights
Cryopreservation does not alter human sperm vacuoles, a key feature assessed using motile sperm organellar morphology examination (MSOME). This finding suggests current normality criteria for sperm vacuoles remain applicable after freezing and thawing.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Sperm Morphology
- Cryopreservation Science
Background:
- The motile sperm organellar morphology examination (MSOME) assesses sperm head vacuoles at high magnification.
- Cryopreservation is known to impact overall sperm quality, but its effect on sperm vacuoles is unstudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of cryopreservation (freezing-thawing) on human sperm vacuoles.
- To determine if MSOME normality criteria for vacuoles are consistent for fresh and frozen sperm.
Main Methods:
- Sperm samples from 27 fertile men were analyzed before and after freezing-thawing.
- Conventional sperm parameters (motility, vitality, normal forms) and high-magnification morphological analysis (MSOME) were performed.
- Image analysis software quantified vacuole characteristics.
Main Results:
- Sperm motility, vitality, and percentage of normal forms significantly decreased after cryopreservation.
- No significant differences were observed in any vacuolar criteria (e.g., relative vacuole area, total vacuole area, vacuole distribution) after freezing-thawing.
- Specific vacuole size thresholds (≤6.5% and >13%) showed no change post-cryopreservation.
Conclusions:
- Human sperm vacuoles are unaffected by standard freezing-thawing procedures.
- The morphological normality criteria for sperm vacuoles using MSOME can be applied to both fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa.
- This supports the consistent application of MSOME for sperm selection in assisted reproductive technologies regardless of sperm storage status.
Related Concept Videos
01:57Meiosis II
01:41Spermatogenesis
01:15Sperm Transport
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...