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Author Spotlight: Advancing Male Infertility Research by Unraveling Sperm Metabolism and Mitochondrial Function
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[Impact of the freezing-thawing process on human sperm mitochondria]

Long-Long Fu1, Xiao-Fen Song2, Kai-Shu Zhang2

  • 1Key Laboratory of the National Health Commission for Male Reproductive Health / Family Planning Research Institute of the National Health Commission, Beijing 100081, China.

Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue = National Journal of Andrology
|December 13, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Cryopreservation damages human sperm mitochondria, causing structural issues and reduced energy production. This impacts sperm function and viability after freezing and thawing.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Sperm cryopreservation is crucial for assisted reproduction.
  • Mitochondria are vital for sperm motility and function.
  • Understanding cryopreservation effects on sperm mitochondria is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate structural and functional changes in human sperm mitochondria post-cryopreservation.
  • To assess the impact of slow freezing-thawing on mitochondrial integrity and energy production.

Main Methods:

  • Human sperm from healthy donors were cryopreserved using slow freezing-thawing.
  • Transmission electron microscopy evaluated mitochondrial ultrastructure.
  • Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were measured.
  • Oxidative stress markers were assessed before and after cryopreservation.

Main Results:

  • Cryopreservation induced mitochondrial ultrastructural damage, including widened crests and vacuolization.
  • Sperm exhibited increased oxidative stress markers (oxygen free radicals, malondialdehyde) post-thaw.
  • Antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity were significantly reduced.
  • Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP production decreased significantly after freezing-thawing.

Conclusions:

  • The freezing-thawing process causes significant ultrastructural damage to human sperm mitochondria.
  • Cryopreservation negatively affects mitochondrial function, leading to reduced membrane potential and ATP production.
  • These mitochondrial alterations likely contribute to impaired sperm function after cryopreservation.
Keywords:
membrane potentialmitochondriaoxidative stresssperm cryopreservationfertility preservation

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