Can Cryoprotectant’s modification in Spermatozoa Cryopreservation be an Alternative to Improve Embryo Quality? A Review

Abstract

Spermatozoa cryopreservation is an effective method for maintaining male fertility in humans. Nevertheless, there are some limitations of sperm cryopreservation, which is called as cell injury by cryoprotectant, that cannot be avoided. This process will affect embryo quality. Therefore, it is mandatory to modify cryoprotectant in spermatozoa cryopreservation, to improve embryo quality. This review aimed to summarize the modification of cryoprotectant that can damage the cell, thereby improving embryo quality. To this purpose, a computerized search of EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases from 2008 to 2022 were performed on general term such as “sperm cryopreservation”, “cryoprotective agent”, “modified cryoprotectant”, “cell injury”. Of these, 1847 publications were screened and 38 articles were obtained and evaluated. Although no formal conclusions can be drawn regarding the cryopreservation of spermatozoa to obtain good embryo quality, our results suggest that modified cryoprotectants can be an alternative cryoprotectant compared to commercial cryoprotectants. In addition, the use of antioxidant in spermatozoa cryopreservation can also prevent cell damage due to the negative effects of cryoprotectants. However, further researches still need to be performed to investigate the cellular mechanisms.

Keywords

• cell injury
• cryoprotectant agent
• modified cryoprotectant
• sperm cryopreservation