Method for long-term room temperature storage of mouse freeze-dried sperm

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Cryopreservation
• Genetic Resource Preservation

Background:

• Permanent preservation of genetic resources is crucial for humanity's future.
• Current methods like liquid nitrogen storage are expensive and vulnerable to supply failures.
• Alternative, cost-effective, and safe preservation methods are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate lyophilization as a reliable method for long-term preservation of mouse sperm.
• To assess the viability and reproductive potential of freeze-dried sperm.
• To explore the feasibility of room-temperature storage for genetic material.

Main Methods:

• Sperm from four mouse strains were subjected to lyophilization (freeze-drying).
• The freeze-dried sperm samples were stored at room temperature for 5-6 years.
• Oocytes were artificially activated following sperm injection to assess fertilization and development.

Main Results:

• Healthy offspring were successfully produced from freeze-dried mouse sperm stored for up to 6 years.
• A slight decrease in sperm's oocyte-activating ability was observed, but reproductive success remained high.
• The birth rate was not significantly reduced even after extended storage periods.

Conclusions:

• Lyophilization is a viable and reliable method for the long-term preservation of mammalian sperm at room temperature.
• This technique offers a low-cost, safe, and easily storable alternative to traditional cryopreservation.
• Freeze-drying has the potential to become a major method for preserving mammalian genetic resources globally.