Assessment of Ageing-Dependent Effects on Sperm Functions following Semen Cryopreservation

Abstract

There has been an increased improvement in the cryopreservation protocol of semen,
which contributes to the preservation of genetic resources.1,2 Cryo-induced damage to spermatozoa is attributed to membrane deterioration caused mainly by the formation of intracellular ice and increased oxidative stress, resulting in a loss of the sperm fertilizing ability.3
It is
noteworthy that ageing-dependent processes in frozen-thawed semen occur in different sperm
compartments, and are associated with membrane modifications of specific lipid-protein interactions, activation of an apoptosis-like mechanism and reduced genomic integrity, which consequently compromise sperm cryo-survival.4,5 Moreover, ageing is a natural process occurring
in sperm cells during semen preservation, and there is no single sperm test that can effectively
predict the fertilizing capacity of semen following the different reproductive technologies