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Problems of human spermatozoa cryopreservation: research methods, solutions

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Abstract

Cryopreservation of male gametes is one of the most important methods of assisted reproductive technologies, which allows preserving gametes for research or further use. However, the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa after cryopreservation decreases by 30–70%, which makes it urgent to search for new substances with cryoprotective properties. The review considers the main causes of cell damage during cryopreservation. The relevance of methods for assessing the formation of crystals and the physicochemical properties of cryoprotective media depending on various compositions is discussed. The problem of stabilization of the spermatozoa membrane during cryopreservation is considered. A possible solution to the problem of membrane integrity may consist in modification of the basic cryoprotective media with yolk emulsion or development of methods for saturation of the membrane phospholipid layer with cholesterol.

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A.I. and E.S. conceptualized, outlined, and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors finalized the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Anna Ivanova.

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The review was created as part of the implementation of the project 23-Sch01-15 of the interdisciplinary scientific and educational school “Fundamental and Applied Space Research.”

We express our gratitude to Romanova A. for her help in creating Fig. 1a and b.

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Ivanova, A., Simonenko, E., Yakovenko, S. et al. Problems of human spermatozoa cryopreservation: research methods, solutions. Biophys Rev 15, 1223–1232 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12551-023-01133-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12551-023-01133-x

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