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Antioxidants in Sperm Cryopreservation

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Male Infertility

Abstract

Cryopreservation and thawing exposes spermatozoa to various stresses that could lead eventually to loss of fertilizing potential. Despite various advances in cryopreservation methodology, the recovery rate of functional post-thaw spermatozoa remains to be improved. The use of cryoprotectants such as glycerol, ethylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and 1,2-propanediol (PROH) marked one of the most significant advancements in cryopreservation. Cryoprotectants are low molecular weight, highly permeable chemicals that serve to protect spermatozoa from freeze damage induced by ice crystallization. Cryoprotectants act by decreasing the freezing point of a substance, reducing the amount of salts and solutes present in the liquid phase of the sample, and decreasing ice formation within the spermatozoa. Oxidative stress (OS), resulting from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, is detrimental to human spermatozoa resulting in significant loss of function. Increased ROS production and decreased antioxidant levels is known to occur during sperm cryopreservation and thawing. Therefore, OS does play a role in injury sustained by spermatozoa during cryopreservation. Subsequently antioxidants which counteract the effects of ROS could be of use in preventing OS-induced cryoinjury.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Andrology Laboratory and Reproductive Tissue Bank, The Toronto Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Tamer Said MD, PhD

  2. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Desk A19, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Ashok Agarwal PhD

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  1. Tamer Said MD, PhD
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  2. Ashok Agarwal PhD
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Correspondence to Tamer Said MD, PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Florida, Director, Robotic Surgery, Winter Haven Hospital &, 200 Avenue F. N.E., Winter Haven, 33881, Florida, USA

    Sijo J. Parekattil

  2. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Avenue 9500, Cleveland, 44195, Ohio, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

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Said, T., Agarwal, A. (2012). Antioxidants in Sperm Cryopreservation. In: Parekattil, S., Agarwal, A. (eds) Male Infertility. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3335-4_41

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3335-4_41

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