Evaluation of sperm motility using two cryoprotectants

Sandra Abalde Graña; Mª Esther Rendal Vázquez; Mariana García García; Mª Jesús López Piñón; Marcos Carballal Rodríguez; Catarina Barbero Cancelo; Rosario Olvido Fernández Mallo; Inma Míguez Torre; Teresa Bermúdez González; Sonia Pértega Díaz; Jacinto Sánchez Ibáñez

Unidad de Criobiología-Banco de Tejidos. CHUAC. A Coruña; Unidad de Fecundación in vitro. CHUAC. A Coruña; Unidad de Estadística. CHUAC. A Coruña

Infertility is a problem that affects a lot of couples. One of its causes is a decreased semen quality due to, for example, gonadotoxic treatments. The cryopreservation of human semen is the technique that allows sperm preserving and storing without losing their fertilizing capacity; being a fundamental tool in assisted reproduction. The aim of this study was to optimize the cryopreservation technique. To this end, a study carried out on samples of patients under study by fertility problems, in which two cryoprotectant media (SpermCryo™ All-round and CryoSperm™) and the execution or non-execution of an immersion of the samples in liquid nitrogen (before storage) were compared; and the effect of the time between ejaculation and the processing on the quality of the sample. Variations were studied with an automatic analyzer by performing pre- and post-thaw sperm motility tests.
The results show no difference between the two cryoprotectants media, but seems to have a tendency to obtain better postthaw mobility with either depending on sample characteristics. Moreover, the liquid nitrogen bath had no apparent effects on post-thaw results. However, we must highlight the importance of time in the processing of semen samples once liquefied, to avoid decreased sperm quality.
To improve post-thaw outcomes the key lies in the necessity to adjust the freezing protocol to the sample characteristics and a correct implementation of the protocol cryopreservation (selection and addition of cryoprotectant media…); favoring the management of infertility and the success of assisted reproduction techniques.

Rev. Iberoam. Fert Rep Hum, 2016