Sperm Cryopreservation: a Review on Current Molecular Cryobiology and Advanced Approaches
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1 RBMO VOLUME 00 ISSUE 0 2018 REVIEW Sperm cryopreservation: A review on current molecular cryobiology and advanced approaches BIOGRAPHY Abdolhossein Shahverdi is Professor of Embryology and scientific director of the Sperm Biology Group at the Royan Institute in Tehran. His main research interests are fertility preservation, reproductive epigenetic and germ cell biology. With over 20 years’ experience in reproductive biology, he has published more than 120 international scientific papers. Maryam Hezavehei1,2, Mohsen Sharafi3,*, Homa Mohseni Kouchesfahani2, Ralf Henkel4, Ashok Agarwal5, Vahid Esmaeili1, Abdolhossein Shahverdi1,* KEY MESSAGE Understanding the new aspects of sperm cryobiology, such as epigenetic and proteomic modulation, as well as novel techniques, is essential for clinical applications and the improvement of ART protocols. Long-term follow-up studies on the resultant offspring obtained from cryopreserved spermatozoa is recommended for future studies. ABSTRACT The cryopreservation of spermatozoa was introduced in the 1960s as a route to fertility preservation. Despite the extensive progress that has been made in this field, the biological and biochemical mechanisms involved in cryopreservation have not been thoroughly elucidated to date. Various factors during the freezing process, including sudden temperature changes, ice formation and osmotic stress, have been proposed as reasons for poor sperm quality post-thaw. Little is known regarding the new aspects of sperm cryobiology, such as epigenetic and proteomic modulation of sperm and trans-generational effects of sperm freezing. This article reviews recent reports on molecular and cellular modifications of spermatozoa during cryopreservation in order to collate the existing understanding in this field. The aim is to discuss current freezing techniques and novel strategies that have been developed for sperm protection against cryo-damage, as well as evaluating the probable effects of sperm freezing on offspring health. 1 Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Centre, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, KEYWORDS ACECR, Tehran, Iran Epigenetic 2 Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran Offspring health 3 Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 4 American Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, USA Proteome 5 Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa Sperm cryopreservation © 2018 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. *Corresponding authors. E-mail addresses: [email protected] (M Sharafi)., [email protected] (A Shahverdi). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.05.012 1472-6483/© 2018 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Declaration: The authors report no financial or commercial conflicts of interest. 2 RBMO VOLUME 00 ISSUE 0 2018 INTRODUCTION that uses frozen-thawed spermatozoa motility traits (e.g. asthenozoospermic, he first record of semen to manage or accelerate the rate of oligoasthenozoospermic) are particularly cryopreservation dates back genetic improvement (Flores et al., 2011; susceptible to cryo-damage, possibly approximately 200 years, Masoudi et al., 2016) by inseminating reducing their fertilizing ability (Borges when Lazaro Spallanzani (1776) select or multiple females, respectively, et al., 2007). The following sections Tattempted to preserve spermatozoa with the semen obtained from a male of discuss the effects of freezing on the by cooling it in snow (Royere et al., desired genetic quality (Comizzoli, 2015). structures and macromolecules (proteins, 1996). Further scientific progress was transcriptome and epigenome) of made considerably later with Polge's BIOLOGY OF SPERM spermatozoa, as well as the effects of discovery of glycerol's cryoprotectant CRYOPRESERVATION cryopreservation on post-thaw sperm properties (Polge et al., 1949). This parameters. advance marked a turning point in the A complete understanding of sperm field of fertility preservation. Since that physiology during cryopreservation is ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES advance, there have been considerable mandatory to ensure maximum success. OF SPERMATOZOA DURING improvements in techniques for A key factor in sperm cryobiology is that FREEZING cryopreservation of semen of different they are small cells with a large surface species. The earliest offspring produced area (John Morris et al., 2012; Morris, Several studies have examined cryo- from cryopreserved spermatozoa were 2006). These characteristics affect the damage in spermatozoa of different reported in 1951 (cow), 1953 (human), viscosity and glass transition temperature species (Ozkavukcu et al., 2008; Yeste, 1957 (pig, horse) and 1967 (sheep) of the intracellular cytosol in sperm cells, 2016). Acrosome disintegration and (Curry, 2000). Sperm cryobanks were which makes them less susceptible to partial removal of the outer acrosomal developed in the 1960s for cattle and potential damage (Isachenko et al., 2003). membrane with depletion of acrosomal in the 1970s for humans (Sanger et al., In the absence of cryoprotective agents, content are common alterations that 1992). Today, artificial insemination of cold shock and the induction of ice crystal are attributed to physical freezing animals and human assisted reproductive formation can lead to the destruction of events (Barthelemy et al., 1990). These technology routinely use cryopreserved organelles in the sperm cells (AbdelHafez defects are probably attributable to ice semenatozoa (Kopeika et al., 2015; et al., 2009). This event may manifest crystal formation during the freezing Yeste, 2016). However, despite numerous in the oxidation of cellular compounds, of extracellular fluids, which results in achievements in sperm cryobiology, the as well as disruption and damage of expansion of the sub-acrosomal region. search continues for methods that can cellular structures, such as the DNA, Alternatively, osmotic changes may optimally recover viable spermatozoa acrosome and plasma membrane, which cause damage to the lipid membrane after cryopreservation. ultimately reduces fertility (O'Connell structure, leading to tension changes in et al., 2002). Reactive oxygen species water canal proteins and ionic leakage Sperm cryopreservation is an effective (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), in plasma membranes and resulting in route to the management and superoxide anions (O2–) and hydroxyl morphological changes (Sa-Ardrit et al., preservation of male fertility in humans radicals (OH–) may induce apoptosis, 2006). Interestingly, it has been shown and domestic animals (Sharma, 2011). membrane lipid peroxidation, disruption that rapid freezing markedly reduced the Cytotoxic treatments, such as of mitochondria and DNA damage ultrastructural changes and preserved chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as (Bollwein et al., 2008). Conventionally, the the integrity of sperm heads compared well as surgical treatments, may lead concentration of cryoprotective agents, with slow freezing (Serafini et al., 1986). to testicular failure or ejaculatory as well as membrane-stabilizing additives, Studies have shown that glycerol is dysfunction (Agarwal et al., 2014b; is correlated with the rate and sensitivity preferable to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) Rousset-Jablonski et al., 2016). In such of spermatozoa to sub-zero temperatures. as a cryoprotectant to protect sperm situations, freezing of spermatozoa can The lipid composition of the sperm structures (Oettle and Soley, 1986; be a suitable solution to preserve fertility; plasma membrane is a major factor that Serafini et al., 1986). the frozen-thawed semen can be used can influence the cryotolerance and cold for intrauterine insemination (IUI), IVF or sensitivity of spermatozoa. Differences Woolley and Richardson have observed intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the fatty acid profile and omega-3/ that extenders containing glycerol (Dohle, 2010). Cryopreservation is widely omega-6 ratio in spermatozoa of different and egg yolk improved the apical used to preserve spermatozoa obtained species results in different levels of segment of the acrosome and circular from azoospermic patients who have cryotolerance (Esmaeili et al., 2015). mitochondria after thawing (Woolley and undergone testicular sperm extraction Moreover, spermatozoa obtained from Richardson, 1978). Cytoskeleton proteins, (Di Santo et al., 2012) and can also be different species may be different in size, such as vimentin and actin, are other routinely used in men who want to begin shape and lipid composition, potentially sperm structures that may incur damage assisted reproduction treatment and have affecting their resistance to cryo-injuries during freezing. Transmission electron a back-up sperm source. Furthermore, (Esmaeili et al., 2015; Fattah et al., 2017; microscopy (Harvey et al., 2013) of cryopreservation facilitates the storage Maldjian et al., 2005). Pre-freezing semen post-thaw spermatozoa showed an of donor semen, while infectious quality parameters, such as sperm motility incremental increase in wrinkling of disease screening can be completed and the abstinence period of sperm the plasmalemma and sub-acrosomal and confirmed negative (Anger et al., donors, can also affect the cryosurvival swelling, as well as loss of acrosomal 2003). In animals, artificial insemination rate of post-thaw