Authors

Jordi Roca, Ph.D., Maria J. Martinez-Alborcia, D.V.M., Maria A. Gil, Ph.D., Inmaculada Parrilla, Ph.D., Emilio A. Martinez, Ph.D.

Volume 100, Issue 3, Pages 875-881, September 2013

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the influence of dead spermatozoa present in raw semen samples before and during freezing on the functionality and fertilization ability of frozen-thawed spermatozoa.

Design:

Cryopreservation of raw semen samples with different known proportions of dead spermatozoa: native semen samples (<10%) and samples with 25%, 50%, and 75% dead spermatozoa. Setting:

A university-based veterinary andrology laboratory.

Animal(s):

Five healthy and sexually mature boars.

Intervention(s):

Sperm killed by three fast-freezing cycles.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Assessment of intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nuclear DNA fragmentation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and embryo development.

Result(s):

High proportions of dead spermatozoa in raw semen samples before and during freezing induce statistically significantly increased ROS generation and nuclear DNA fragmentation in frozen-thawed spermatozoa. These dysfunctional changes resulted in low ratios of in vitro penetrated oocytes and healthy developing embryos.

Conclusion(s):

A high proportion of dead spermatozoa present in raw semen samples before and during freezing negatively influences the functionality and IVF outcomes of frozen-thawed spermatozoa.

Read the full text at: http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(13)00627-4/fulltext