Protective Effect of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles on Human Sperm Function During Cryopreservation

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Nanomedicine
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Cryopreservation of human sperm generates reactive oxygen species, leading to reduced sperm quality post-thaw.
• Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO₂NPs) possess antioxidant properties that may mitigate cryodamage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of CeO₂NPs on the quality and function of human sperm following cryopreservation and thawing.

Main Methods:

• Human sperm samples from 20 normozoospermic individuals were divided into fresh, frozen control, and CeO₂NP-treated groups (0.1, 1, and 5 μg/mL).
• Evaluated sperm parameters included motility, viability, membrane integrity, DNA fragmentation, protamination, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential, and morphology post-thaw.

Main Results:

• The 0.1 μg/mL CeO₂NP group showed significant improvements in progressive motility, total motility, viability, membrane functionality, DNA integrity, and protamination compared to the frozen control.
• All tested CeO₂NP concentrations (0.1, 1, and 5 μg/mL) resulted in lower MDA levels, indicating reduced oxidative stress.
• No significant changes were observed in sperm normal morphology or mitochondrial activity across the different concentrations.

Conclusions:

• Low-dose CeO₂NPs (0.1 μg/mL) effectively protect human sperm quality against cryopreservation-induced damage.
• CeO₂NPs demonstrate potential as a therapeutic agent to improve the outcomes of sperm cryopreservation.