03 May 2024 : Clinical Research
Enhancement of Frozen-Thawed Human Sperm Quality with Zinc as a Cryoprotective Additive
Longlong Fu1ACEG*, Jing Ma2AFG, Lixia Chen3CF, Ying Guo4BCD, Wenjie Li5BCDE, Xingguo Zhang3BCD, Wenhong Lu1CDG, Shusong Wang2AFG, Ying Liu5ACDDOI: 10.12659/MSM.942946
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942946
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation preserves male fertility, crucial in oncology, advanced age, and infertility. However, it damages sperm motility, membrane, and DNA. Zinc (Zn), an antioxidant, shows promise in improving sperm quality after thawing, highlighting its potential as a cryoprotectant in reproductive medicine.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gradient concentration of ZnSO₄ (0, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 µM) was added in the Glycerol-egg yolk-citrate (GEYC) cryopreservative medium as an extender. Alterations in sperm viability and motility parameters after cryopreservation were detected in each group. Sperm plasma membrane integrity (PMI), acrosome integrity (ACR), DNA fragment index (DFI), and changes in sperm mitochondrial function were examined, including: mitochondrial potential (MMP), sperm reactive oxygen species (ROS), and sperm ATP.
RESULTS: We found that 50 µM ZnSO₄ was the most effective for the curvilinear velocity (VCL) and the average path velocity (VAP) of sperm after cryo-resuscitation. Compared to the Zn-free group, sperm plasma membrane integrity (PMI) was increased, DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was decreased, reactive oxygen species (ROS) was reduced, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was increased after cryorevival in the presence of 50 µM ZnSO₄.
CONCLUSIONS: Zn ion is one of the antioxidants in the cell. The results of our current clinical study are sufficient to demonstrate that Zn can improve preserves sperm quality during cryopreservation when added to GEYC. The addition of 50 µM ZnSO₄ increased curve velocity, mean path velocity, sperm survival (or plasma membrane integrity), and mitochondrial membrane potential while reducing ROS production and DNA breaks compared to GEYC thawed without ZnSO₄.
Keywords: Cryopreservation, Zinc, Human Sperm Motility, Mitochondrial Function
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