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Andrology Nov 2020The sperm vitrification developed by this group is based on the ultrarapid freezing of a vitrification solution composed of a non-permeable cryoprotectant (saccharides... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The sperm vitrification developed by this group is based on the ultrarapid freezing of a vitrification solution composed of a non-permeable cryoprotectant (saccharides and protein), in which previously selected spermatozoa are resuspended, free of seminal plasma, and then plunged directly into liquid nitrogen. Compared to traditional sperm freezing, vitrification does not cause chemical or physical damage to the intracellular structures and reduces the damage to the plasma membrane because no ice crystals form, thus preserving motility and DNA integrity.
OBJECTIVES
This manuscript is a review of the vitrification methodology developed by the authors' research group, including studies showing the application in human reproduction therapy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The authors perform a review of the work initiated more than a decade ago by this research group, on the implementation of sperm vitrification, a more effective technique for cryopreservation of human spermatozoa, discussing the results obtained by other authors and the projection of this technique.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The vitrification technique has been developed in selected spermatozoa free of seminal plasma supplemented with saccharides such as sucrose, trehalose, and dextran, together with albumin, providing a high motility rate and protective structures of the cytoskeleton. In patients, it can be used to preserve their fertility for oncological reasons, genetics, inflammatory diseases, or reproductive medicine techniques. The possibility that vitrified spermatozoa can be preserved at temperatures of -80°C can simplify sample storage, optimizing the space and time as well as operator safety.
CONCLUSION
Vitrification techniques have demonstrated the preservation of selected spermatozoa without seminal plasma and with non-permeable cryoprotectants and protein. Currently, it is one of the most effective ways to maintain sperm function and has been used in in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination in humans, achieving healthy live births.
Topics: Cryopreservation; Cryoprotective Agents; Diffusion of Innovation; Female; Fertility; Fertility Preservation; Humans; Infertility; Male; Pregnancy; Risk Factors; Semen Preservation; Spermatozoa; Treatment Outcome; Vitrification
PubMed: 32598551
DOI: 10.1111/andr.12847 -
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology... May 2020Patients with severe oligospermia and nonobstructive azoospermia have very limited numbers of viable sperm in their epididymal and testicular samples. Thus,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Patients with severe oligospermia and nonobstructive azoospermia have very limited numbers of viable sperm in their epididymal and testicular samples. Thus, cryopreservation of their sperm is performed to avoid repeated sperm retrievals and to preserve their sperm from any side effects of any treatment regimens.
MAIN BODY
The development of intracytoplasmic sperm injection technology has extended the therapeutic capacity of assisted reproductive technology for men with azoospermia via the surgical or percutaneous isolation of sperm from the testis/epididymis. The conventional cryopreservation techniques are inadequate for preserving individually selected sperm. The technique for freezing single sperm was first developed in 1997 and has been explored from the perspective of frozen carriers, freezing programs, and cryoprotectant formulations. Among these methods, advances in frozen carriers have directly improved single-sperm freezing technology. In this review, we evaluate the different technologies for the cryopreservation of single sperm by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of different freezing methods, their clinical applications, and the outcomes for a range of frozen carriers.
CONCLUSION
Our review article describes the latest and current technologies implemented for the cryopreservation of single sperm that could potentially benefit patients with severe oligospermia and who rarely have any sperm in their ejaculate. This review provides a platform to understand the process and pitfalls of single-sperm cryopreservation to ensure further improvements in the cryopreservation technology in future studies.
Topics: Cryopreservation; Cryoprotective Agents; Humans; Male; Semen Preservation; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; Sperm Retrieval; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 32398019
DOI: 10.1186/s12958-020-00607-x -
Nature Biotechnology Jun 2017The ability to replace organs and tissues on demand could save or improve millions of lives each year globally and create public health benefits on par with curing... (Review)
Review
The ability to replace organs and tissues on demand could save or improve millions of lives each year globally and create public health benefits on par with curing cancer. Unmet needs for organ and tissue preservation place enormous logistical limitations on transplantation, regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and a variety of rapidly advancing areas spanning biomedicine. A growing coalition of researchers, clinicians, advocacy organizations, academic institutions, and other stakeholders has assembled to address the unmet need for preservation advances, outlining remaining challenges and identifying areas of underinvestment and untapped opportunities. Meanwhile, recent discoveries provide proofs of principle for breakthroughs in a family of research areas surrounding biopreservation. These developments indicate that a new paradigm, integrating multiple existing preservation approaches and new technologies that have flourished in the past 10 years, could transform preservation research. Capitalizing on these opportunities will require engagement across many research areas and stakeholder groups. A coordinated effort is needed to expedite preservation advances that can transform several areas of medicine and medical science.
Topics: Cryopreservation; Forecasting; Humans; Organ Culture Techniques; Organ Preservation; Organ Transplantation; Regenerative Medicine; Tissue Preservation
PubMed: 28591112
DOI: 10.1038/nbt.3889 -
Transplant International : Official... Feb 2021The increasing use of donation after circulatory death (DCD) and extended criteria donor (ECD) organs has raised awareness of the need to improve the quality of kidneys... (Review)
Review
The increasing use of donation after circulatory death (DCD) and extended criteria donor (ECD) organs has raised awareness of the need to improve the quality of kidneys for transplantation. Treating kidneys during the preservation interval could improve early and long-term graft function and survival. Dynamic modes of preservation including hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) and normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) may provide the functional platforms to treat these kidneys. Therapies in the field of regenerative medicine including cellular therapies and genetic modification and the application of biological agents targeting ischaemia reperfusion injury (IRI) and acute rejection are a growing area of research. This review reports on the application of cellular and gene manipulating therapies, nanoparticles, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-thrombolytic agents and monoclonal antibodies administered during HMP and NMP in experimental models. The review also reports on the clinical effectiveness of several biological agents administered during HMP. All of the experimental studies provide proof of principle that therapies can be successfully delivered during HMP and NMP. However, few have examined the effects after transplantation. Evidence for clinical application during HMP is sparse and only one study has demonstrated a beneficial effect on graft function. More investigation is needed to develop perfusion strategies and investigate the different experimental approaches.
Topics: Humans; Kidney; Kidney Transplantation; Organ Preservation; Perfusion; Reperfusion Injury; Tissue Donors
PubMed: 32970886
DOI: 10.1111/tri.13751 -
Reproduction & Fertility Apr 2022To present an overview of different approaches and recent advances for long-term preservation of germ cells and gonadal tissues at ambient temperatures. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To present an overview of different approaches and recent advances for long-term preservation of germ cells and gonadal tissues at ambient temperatures.
METHODS
Review of the existing literature.
RESULTS
Preserving viable spermatozoa, eggs, embryos, and gonadal tissues for the long term is critical in human fertility treatment and for the management of animal populations (livestock, biomedical models, and wild species). The need and number of banked germplasms are growing very fast in all disciplines, but current storage options at freezing temperatures are often constraining and not always sustainable. Recent research indicates that structures and functions of gametes or gonadal tissues can be preserved for the long term using different strategies based on dehydration and storage at supra-zero temperatures. However, more studies are needed in rehydration and reanimation of germplasms (including proper molecular and cellular evaluations).
CONCLUSIONS
While a lot of research is still warranted to optimize drying and rehydration conditions for each sample type and each species, alternative preservation methods will change the paradigm in fertility preservation and biobanking. It will transform the way we maintain and manage precious biomaterials for the long term.
LAY SUMMARY
Living sperm cells, eggs, embryos, and reproductive tissues can be preserved at freezing temperatures for human fertility treatments and used to manage breeding in livestock, laboratory animals, and wild species through assisted reproduction. These cells can be stored in cell banks and demand for them is growing fast. However, current long-term storage options at freezing temperatures are expensive. Instead of using low temperatures, recent research indicates that these cells can be dried and stored above freezing temperatures for an extended amount of time. While a lot of research is still needed to optimize how different samples are dried and rehydrated, alternative methods of preserving cells will make fertility preservation and cell banking easier. It will also transform the way we keep and manage samples for the long term.
Topics: Animals; Biological Specimen Banks; Cryopreservation; Freeze Drying; Gonads; Humans; Male; Ovum; Preservation, Biological; Semen; Spermatozoa; Temperature
PubMed: 35514540
DOI: 10.1530/RAF-22-0008 -
Journal of Controlled Release :... Aug 2021Freeze-drying is the most widespread method to preserve protein drugs and vaccines in a dry form facilitating their storage and transportation without the laborious and... (Review)
Review
Freeze-drying is the most widespread method to preserve protein drugs and vaccines in a dry form facilitating their storage and transportation without the laborious and expensive cold chain. Extending this method for the preservation of natural biomaterials and cells in a dry form would provide similar benefits, but most results in the domain are still below expectations. In this review, rather than consider freeze-drying as a traditional black box we "break it" through a detailed process thinking approach. We discuss freeze-drying from process thinking aspects, introduce the chemical, physical, and mechanical environments important in this process, and present advanced biophotonic process analytical technology. In the end, we review the state of the art in the freeze-drying of the biomaterials, extracellular vesicles, and cells. We suggest that the rational design of the experiment and implementation of advanced biophotonic tools are required to successfully preserve the natural biomaterials and cells by freeze-drying. We discuss this change of paradigm with existing literature and elaborate on our perspective based on our new unpublished results.
Topics: Biocompatible Materials; Freeze Drying; Proteins
PubMed: 34214597
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.06.042 -
Biology of Reproduction Aug 2022Medical treatments for cancers or other conditions can lead to permanent infertility. Infertility is an insidious disease that impacts not only the ability to have a... (Review)
Review
Medical treatments for cancers or other conditions can lead to permanent infertility. Infertility is an insidious disease that impacts not only the ability to have a biological child but also the emotional well-being of the infertile individuals, relationships, finances, and overall health. Therefore, all patients should be educated about the effects of their medical treatments on future fertility and about fertility preservation options. The standard fertility preservation option for adolescent and adult men is sperm cryopreservation. Sperms can be frozen and stored for a long period, thawed at a later date, and used to achieve pregnancy with existing assisted reproductive technologies. However, sperm cryopreservation is not applicable for prepubertal patients who do not yet produce sperm. The only fertility preservation option available to prepubertal boys is testicular tissue cryopreservation. Next-generation technologies are being developed to mature those testicular cells or tissues to produce fertilization-competent sperms. When sperm and testicular tissues are not available for fertility preservation, inducing pluripotent stem cells derived from somatic cells, such as blood or skin, may provide an alternative path to produce sperms through a process call in vitro gametogenesis. This review describes standard and experimental options to preserve male fertility as well as the experimental options to produce functional spermatids or sperms from immature cryopreserved testicular tissues or somatic cells.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Cryopreservation; Fertility Preservation; Humans; Infertility; Male; Neoplasms; Semen; Testis
PubMed: 35403667
DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac072 -
Biomaterials Science Jun 2017The structure of DNA is susceptible to alterations at high temperature and on changing pH, irradiation and exposure to DNase. Options to protect and preserve DNA during...
The structure of DNA is susceptible to alterations at high temperature and on changing pH, irradiation and exposure to DNase. Options to protect and preserve DNA during storage are important for applications in genetic diagnosis, identity authentication, drug development and bioresearch. In the present study, the stability of total DNA purified from human dermal fibroblast cells, as well as that of plasmid DNA, was studied in silk protein materials. The DNA/silk mixtures were stabilized on filter paper (silk/DNA + filter) or filter paper pre-coated with silk and treated with methanol (silk/DNA + PT-filter) as a route to practical utility. After air-drying and water extraction, 50-70% of the DNA and silk could be retrieved and showed a single band on electrophoretic gels. 6% silk/DNA + PT-filter samples provided improved stability in comparison with 3% silk/DNA + filter samples and DNA + filter samples for DNA preservation, with ∼40% of the band intensity remaining at 37 °C after 40 days and ∼10% after exposure to UV light for 10 hours. Quantitative analysis using the PicoGreen assay confirmed the results. The use of Tris/borate/EDTA (TBE) buffer enhanced the preservation and/or extraction of the DNA. The DNA extracted after storage maintained integrity and function based on serving as a functional template for PCR amplification of the gene for zinc finger protein 750 (ZNF750) and for transgene expression of red fluorescence protein (dsRed) in HEK293 cells. The high molecular weight and high content of a crystalline beta-sheet structure formed on the coated surfaces likely accounted for the preservation effects observed for the silk/DNA + PT-filter samples. Although similar preservation effects were also obtained for lyophilized silk/DNA samples, the rapid and simple processing available with the silk-DNA-filter membrane system makes it appealing for future applications.
Topics: Cell Line; DNA; Filtration; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Methanol; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; Preservation, Biological; Silk; Temperature; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 28561097
DOI: 10.1039/c6bm00741d -
International Journal of Medical... 2021Nowadays, liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for end-stage liver disease. However, the increasing imbalance between growing demand for liver... (Review)
Review
Nowadays, liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for end-stage liver disease. However, the increasing imbalance between growing demand for liver transplantation and the shortage of donor pool restricts the development of liver transplantation. How to expand the donor pool is a significant problem to be solved clinically. Many doctors have devoted themselves to marginal grafting, which introduces livers with barely passable quality but a high risk of transplant failure into the donor pool. However, existing common methods of preserving marginal grafts lead to both high risk of postoperative complications and high mortality. The application of machine perfusion allows surgeons to make marginal livers meet the standard criteria for transplant, which shows promising prospect in preserving and repairing donor livers and improving ischemia reperfusion injury. This review summarizes the progress of recent researches on hepatic machine perfusion.
Topics: Humans; Liver Transplantation; Organ Preservation; Perfusion; Reperfusion Injury; Tissue and Organ Harvesting
PubMed: 33850464
DOI: 10.7150/ijms.56139 -
Fertility and Sterility Sep 2019For female patients facing fertility-impairing treatment for select cancers and other medical conditions, fertility-preserving surgeries have evolved to meet the needs... (Review)
Review
For female patients facing fertility-impairing treatment for select cancers and other medical conditions, fertility-preserving surgeries have evolved to meet the needs of those who desire fertility preservation. Over the last 70 years, advances in surgical options for fertility preservation have vastly increased in scope and availability. Major breakthroughs in fertility-preservation surgeries include the development of ovarian transposition procedures as well as uterine fixation; both procedures move these vital reproductive organs away from radiation fields to help protect and preserve future fertility. Since the first transplantation of thawed cryopreserved ovarian tissue 20 years ago, there have been major advances in techniques to optimize outcomes. Additionally, surgeries specific for gynecologic malignancies, including radical trachelectomy, have allowed for the preservation of vital reproductive organs. This juncture between innovation and technology resulting in fertility-sparing surgical options for cancer patients illustrates both surgical creativity and continued commitment to develop new techniques, while improving those already in practice. This review explores current advancements in fertility-preserving reproductive surgery, highlighting significant historical landmarks and recent major developments.
Topics: Cryopreservation; Female; Fertility Preservation; Humans; Ovary
PubMed: 31446903
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.06.029