Effect of seminal hyperviscosity on acrosomal integrity and sperm motility before and after cryopreservation

Semen cryopreservation is a useful tool in assisted reproduction, which may have impact on sperm characteristics during freezing and thawing. The aim of this study was to assess the integrity of the acrosome and motility of cryopreserved and thawed spermatozoos in hyperviscous and no viscous samples. In semen samples spermiogram, glandular markers, acrosome integrity, culture and the levels markers accessory glands were measured. Each aliquot of semen was immersed in cryoprotectant and maintained in a commercial freezer at -196 ° C. After 30 days, these were thawed and in the cell pellet resuspended, spermatic motility and acrosomal integrity were evaluated. In thawed samples, there were significant decreases in progressive motility (p <0.05), vitality (p <0.005) and acrosome integrity (p <0.05) with respect to fresh sperm, this decline was most evident in hyperviscous samples. The viscosity of fresh semen was inversely related to motility and acrosome integrity before and after freezing (p <0.05). Twenty semen samples showed the presence of microorganisms and C. trachomatis IgA antibodies, of which fifteen showed hyperviscosity. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that semen samples with low levels of citric acid had less acrosomal integrity both before and after freezing (p <0.05). The viscoelasticity and citric acid levels are associated with prostate dysfunction, low sperm motility and premature acrosome reaction, which can reduce the fertilizing capacity of sperm. The etiology of hyperviscosity remains complex; however, to preserve motility and acrosome integrity, its causes must be investigated previously in the seminal samples to be subjected to cryopreservation.