Evaluate the effect of vitrification technique to the motility, vitality and morphology of human spermatozoa

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of vitrification technique to human spermatozoa, without using toxic permeable cryoprotectants in the condition of Vietnamese laboratory. 35 sperm suspensions were prepared from normal semen samples according to the standard of WHO (WHO, 2010). Sperm suspensions were stored in capillary with sucrose in different length of times (1 day, 15 days and 30 days) and warmed up. Sperm motility, vitality and morphology changes were evaluated after warming. One hour after warming, sperm motility and vitality were statistically lower than those before vitrification (46.80 ± 6.70% vs 90.60 ± 3.41% and 49.94 ± 6.74% vs 93.88 ± 3.32%, respectively) (p<0.05). The results after vitrification in different lengths of times were not different. The normal morphology results before vitrification was similar to after vitrification (8.00 ± 0.91% vs 7.86 ± 0.94%, respectively) (p>0.05). By using sucrose as impermeable cryoprotectant, the sperm suspension is ready for use without any treatments to remove cryoprotectants. Therefore, vitrification of human spermatozoa is feasible and effective in current standard laboratory in Vietnam. This technique might be a potential alternative for contemporary method.

Keywords: Cryopreservation, vitrification, human, spermatozoa, capillary, cryoprotectants-free.