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CryoLetters 44 (4), 185-196 (2023)
© CryoLetters, editor@cryoletters.org
doi.org/10.54680/fr23410110112

PERSPECTIVE:
CRYOBIOLOGY AND FERTILITY PRESERVATION: A PERSPECTIVE ON PAST, CURRENT AND FUTURE STUDIES

Naeimeh Sadat Abtahi¹, Zeinab Ghezelayagh¹, Iran Nemati¹,
Farideh Eivazkhani¹, Parvaneh Farzaneh^2,3,
Abdolhossein Shahverdi¹, Gholam Reza Goudarzi⁴,
Abdurrahim Pedram⁵, Elham Amirchaghmaghi^6,7,
Mojtaba Rezazadeh Valojerdi^1,8, Sherman Silber⁹
and Rouhollah Fathi^1,3*

¹Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
²Human and Animal Cell Bank, Iranian Biological Resource Center (IBRC), ACECR, Tehran, Iran
³Futures Studies Office, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
⁴Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Management, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran
⁵Futures Studies Office, Supreme National Defense University, Babaei Highway, Tehran, Iran
⁶Department of Regenerative Biomedicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
⁷Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
⁸Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
⁹Infertility Center of St. Louis, 224 South Woods Mill Road, Suite 730, Saint Louis, MO, 63017, USA
*Corresponding author’s E-mail: rfathi79@royaninstitute.org

Abstract

Cryopreservation has been used over many decades for the maintenance of viable biological specimens. Its expansion into the area of fertility preservation has been a natural outcome of the increased risks to human fertility from diseases, such as cancer and its treatment protocols, including radiation and chemo-therapy, and the general lifestyle trend to later marriages. The use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) in preserving fertility have benefitted significantly from new scientific approaches, such as cryostorage, in which live cells and tissues are stored at low temperatures and revived when necessary. This review focuses on “cryopreservation science monitoring in reproductive biomedicine” to evaluate knowledge, trends, driving forces, impetus, and emerging technologies in order to draw a future roadmap for this field. Our analysis of the field of cryobiology emphasises the significance of strategic planning of cryobiology research to support more its extensive use in therapeutics in the future. The Royan Institute (Tehran, Iran) recognises this need and has developed a strategic plan to engage in multidisciplinary research on the application of cryobiology, including cryobioengineering, in disease mitigation. We hoped that this study can help improve the quality and quantity of public discourse and expert awareness of the role for cryopreservation in fertility preservation within ART.

Keywords: cryobiology; cryopreservation; fertility preservation; reproduction

Download the paper: CRYOBIOLOGY AND FERTILITY PRESERVATION: A PERSPECTIVE ON PAST, CURRENT AND FUTURE STUDIES (PDF)

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CryoLetters 44 (4), 197-207 (2023)
© CryoLetters, editor@cryoletters.org
doi.org/10.54680/fr23410110312

COMPARATIVE SEED CRYOPRESERVATION OF INDONESIAN AND NEW ZEALAND EPIPHYTIC AND TERRESTRIAL ORCHIDS

Surya Diantina^1,2,3*, Craig McGill¹, Andrea Clavijo McCormick¹, James Millner¹, Hugh W. Pritchard^5,6 and Jayanthi Nadarajan⁴*

¹School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Tennent Drive, 4410 Palmerston North, New Zealand
²Indonesia Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD), Jl. Ragunan no. 29 Pasar Minggu, 12540, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia
³Research Center for Plant Conservation, Botanic Garden and Forestry, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor KM 46, Cibinong, Bogor, 16911, West Java, Indonesia (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7894-2933)
⁴The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Batchelar Road, Fitzherbert, 4474 Palmerston North, New Zealand
⁵Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TN, UK
⁶Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, 132 Lanhei Road, Heilongtan, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China. (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2487-6475)
*Joint corresponding authors’ E-mails: surya.diantina@brin.go.id or suryadiantina@gmail.com and jayanthi.nadarajan@plantandfood.co.nz

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The atypical seed storage behaviour reported in several orchid species justifies cryopreservation as a complementary conservation strategy to conventional seed banking. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the seed cryopreservation potential of five orchid species; two tropical epiphytic, Indonesian species (Dendrobium strebloceras, D. lineale), one temperate epiphytic, New Zealand species (D. cunninghamii) and two temperate terrestrial, New Zealand species (Pterostylis banksii, Thelymitra nervosa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seeds were cryopreserved by direct immersion in liquid nitrogen (LN) and through the application of a cryoprotectant vitrification method. For the latter, seeds were exposed to Plant Vitrification Solution 2 (PVS2) for 0, 20, 50, and 70 min, at either room temperature or on ice, prior to immersion in LN. RESULTS: Seeds of all the studied species germinated well following direct cooling in LN. There was no difference in the seedling development capability between cryopreserved and non-cryopreserved seeds of both tropical epiphytic species and direct immersion in LN enhanced seed germination and shoot formation in both temperate terrestrials. CONCLUSION: Through a range of analyses of germination and post-germination growth, our study shows the potential for cryopreserving epiphytic or terrestrial orchids from tropical and temperate regions.

Keywords: cryobiotechnology; ex situ conservation; direct cooling; seed storage; temperate species; tropical species; vitrification

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CryoLetters 44 (4), 208-218 (2023)
© CryoLetters, editor@cryoletters.org
doi.org/10.54680/fr23410110512

SUPPLEMENTATION OF SULFATE POLYSACCHARIDES IN THE SEMINAL COOLING MEDIUM OF COMMON CURIMATÃ (Prochilodus brevis)

Yara Silvino Sales¹*, Jéssica Sales Lobato¹,
Carla Tatiana Nascimento Sousa Vieira¹,
João Eudes Faria Cavalcante Filho¹, Yasmim Maia Ferreira¹,
Marcos Luiz da Silva Apoliano¹, Renata Vieira do Nascimento²,
Silvio Alencar Cândido Sobrinho³, José Ariévilo Gurgel Rodrigues³, Carla Pamela Braga Guia⁴, Fernanda Vitória Almeida Magalhães⁴
and Carminda Sandra Brito Salmito-Vanderley¹

¹Laboratório de Andrologia, Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Recife, Brasil
²Laboratório de Bioquímica de Proteínas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brasil
³Laboratório de Microbiologia e Biologia Celular, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhaes - Fiocruz, Recife, Brasil
*Corresponding author’s E-mail: yara.sales@aluno.uece.br

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The use of sulfated polysaccharides (PS) in seminal cooling is known to improve seminal quality. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of different concentrations of PS, extracted from the macroalgae Gracilaria domigensis as a supplement to the seminal cooling medium of the reophilic fish Prochilodus brevis (common curimatã). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five semen pools were diluted in ACP-104 (treatment T1), in BTS® (T2) and in BTS® with different concentrations of PS (0.5 [T3]; 1.0 [T4] and 1.5 [T5]). The samples were cooled for different times (0, 6, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h) and after each hour they were analyzed for: morphology, membrane integrity, DNA integrity and sperm kinetics.RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the treatments containing different concentrations of sulfated polysaccharides. Regarding the different cooling times, it was possible to observe that after hour 96, there was a reduction in the parameters of sperm kinetics. For DNA integrity there was no significant difference in relation to the treatments nor in relation to the hours. For membrane integrity, a reduction was noted as of hour 96, but there was no influence of polysaccharides. For the sperm morphology, there was no statistical difference between the hours, however the BTS was better than the ACP-104. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the use of polysaccharides in seminal cooling has no negative effect on sperm parameters and proves that seminal cooling keeps the material viable for up to 72 hours.

Keywords: antioxidants; oxidative stress; reproduction; seaweeds; sperm kinetics

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CryoLetters 44 (4), 219-228 (2023)
© CryoLetters, editor@cryoletters.org
doi.org/10.54680/fr23410110712

CRYOPRESERVATION OF ZYGOTIC EMBRYOS OF Podophyllum hexandrum ROYLE, AN ENDANGERED MEDICINAL PLANT, BY VITRIFICATION AND V CRYO-PLATE TECHNIQUES

Kiran Parasher¹, Shailika Sharma¹, Papiya Mukherjee¹*
and Parvaiz Hassan Qazi²

¹Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
²Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Division, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanatnagar, Srinagar, 180016, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Corresponding author’s E-mail: pmukherjee.pu@gmail.com/pmukherjee@pu.ac.in

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Podophyllum hexandrum is a highly endangered valuable medicinal plant of the Himalayas belonging to family Berberidaceae. This plant needs conservation efforts due to the over-exploitation and unscrupulous harvesting from the wild because of its ever-increasing demand. OBJECTIVE: To establish a long-term cryopreservation method for Podophyllum hexandrum using two techniques: Vitrification and V Cryo-plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Zygotic embryos were cryopreserved using vitrification and V cryo-plate by optimization of parameters including preculture time, loading time and PVS2 dehydration time. Recovery of zygotic embryos was performed on different regrowth media for plantlet formation. RESULTS: With V cryo-plate, 90% regrowth was obtained as compared to 73.3% with vitrification. V Cryo-plate conditions were pre-culture of zygotic embryos in 0.3 M sucrose for 4 days, treatment in loading solution with 0.8 M sucrose for 20 min, dehydration in PVS2 for 50 min, LN exposure, unloading in 1.2 M sucrose for 20 min and transfer of zygotic embryos to regrowth medium for recovery. During recovery, the maximum number of shoots (4.2) and highest shoot length (5.1 cm) were observed on regrowth medium with 1.5 mg/l BAP and 0.1 mg/l IAA (R7). CONCLUSION: Zygotic embryos of Podophyllum hexandrum were cryopreserved with 90% regrowth using a V cryoplate technique and plantlets were produced directly after cryopreservation.

Keywords: Podophyllum hexandrum; vitrification; V cryo-plate; zygotic embryos

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CryoLetters 44 (4), 229-233 (2023)
© CryoLetters, editor@cryoletters.org
doi.org/10.54680/fr23410110212

STRIP PULLED STRAW: COST EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE CRYODEVICE FOR THE VITRIFICATION OF OOCYTES

Khursheed Ahmad Sofi* and Beenish Qureshi

Division of Veterinary Clinical Complex, F.V.Sc and A.H, Shuhama, SKUAST-Kashmir, Srinagar-190006, India
*Corresponding authors’ E-mail: drsofi.vet54321@gmail.com

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Increased cooling and warming rates by using a suitable cryodevice allows the use of lower cryoprotectant concentration and reduces cryoinjuries as a result of the rapid passage through the ‘dangerous’ temperature zone. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of newly customized strip pulled straw (SPS) with respect to post warming quality, viability, and in vitro maturation for immature oocytes post-vitrification of. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SPS was prepared using conventional French mini straw to combine the merits of OPS and the Cryotop system. Immature sheep oocytes were treated in 15% EG + 15% DMSO, loaded on SPS and plunged into liquid nitrogen (LN). Post thaw quality, viability, and maturation rates of oocytes were determined after 1 week storage in LN. RESULTS: SPS achieved a post-thaw morphological survival of 90.9% with 9.0% morphological defects, 96.4% viability and 51% in vitro maturation. In comparison to OPS, SPS had higher post thaw survival (86.5% vs 67.9%) and maturation rate (57.7% vs 50.5%) with lower morphological defects (13.5% vs 32.1%). Cumulus cell loss was the highest among morphological abnormalities of post warm oocytes in SPS (40.9%) and OPS (44.1%). The data showed acceptable post thaw survival, viability and in vitro maturation rate of immature ovine oocytes using SPS as compared to traditional OPS. CONCLUSION: SPS can be used as a cost effective alternative device for oocyte vitrification.

Keywords: cryodevice; oocyte; strip pulled straw; vitrification

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CryoLetters 44 (4), 234-239 (2023)
© CryoLetters, editor@cryoletters.org
doi.org/10.54680/fr23410110412

FREEZING OF EQUINE SEMEN IS INFLUENCED BY EXPOSURE TIME AND CONCENTRATION OF THE CRYOPROTECTANT GLYCEROL

Pablo Luis Fracaro¹, Carine Dahl Corcini^2,3*,
Norton Luis Souza Gatti^1, Jorge Squeff Filho¹, Izani Bonel Acosta¹, Jorge Squeff Filho¹, Felipe Pires Hartwig¹, Bruna Da Rosa Curcio¹
and Antonio Sergio Varela Junior^2,3

¹Programa de pós graduação em Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
²Reprodução Animal Comparada - RAC, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brasil
²ReproPel, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
*Corresponding author’s E-mail: corcinicd@gmail.com

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Glycerol is a cryoprotectant widely used in the freezing of mammalian species’ semen, but no study has demonstrated its optimum concentration and the appropriate exposure time for equine species. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that the exposure time (15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 min) versus concentration (2, 3, 4 and 5%) of the cryoprotectant glycerol influences the freezing success of equine semen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ejaculate of 12 stallions were frozen in different glycerol concentrations following different exposure times. The thawed sperm was evaluated for kinetic parameters using a Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) system and cell feature parameters were assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Considering the total and progressive motility of the spermatozoa, we concluded that protocols using 5% glycerol for 15 and 30 min exposure, 4% glycerol for 45 min exposure and 3% glycerol for 90 min exposure generated the best results. CONCLUSION: We suggest the use of any of these protocols for a better cryopreservation of equine semen.

Keywords: conservation; sperm; equine; motility

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CryoLetters 44 (4), 240-248 (2023)
© CryoLetters, editor@cryoletters.org
doi.org/10.54680/fr23410110612

IN VITRO COLD ACCLIMATION IS REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL CRYOPRESERVATION OF Juglans Regia L. SHOOT TIPS

Svetlana V. Kushnarenko*, Nazgul K. Rymkhanova,
Moldir M. Aralbayeva and Natalya V. Romadanova

Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Timiryazev st 45, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
*Corresponding author’s E-mail: svetlana_bio@mail.ru

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) is one of the most economically important nut crops. In the Western Tien Shan in Kazakhstan, walnut forests are the northernmost in the natural range of this species. Shoot tip cryopreservation is an important strategy to ensure long-term clonal conservation of plant genetic resources. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of cold acclimation duration (0-6 weeks) with alternating temperatures (8 h at 22°C, light intensity 10 μmol m-2 s-1/16 h at -1°C, in the dark) and of plant vitrification solution 2 (PVS2) exposure duration (30, 50, 80 or 100 min) on shoot tip regrowth after cryopreservation by vitrification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro-grown shoots of three wild Juglans regia accessions from a native population of Sairam-Ugam National Natural Park in the south of Kazakhstan and of cultivar Milotai 10 were used as sources of plant material. Shoot tips (1.8-2.0 mm with five to six leaf primordia) were excised from in vitro-grown shoots and cryopreserved using PVS2 vitrification technique. RESULTS: Regrowth of cryopreserved shoot tips increased and was significantly higher (P < 0.05) after 4-6 weeks cold acclimation with the highest regrowth between 59.9-67.8% after 5 weeks for the four genotypes tested. The highest regrowth level was obtained after 80 min of PVS2 exposure, which was significantly better (P < 0.05) compared to 30, 50 or 100 min exposure. CONCLUSION: The PVS2 vitrification protocol established is very effective for cryopreservation of both unique wild J. regia germplasm and of walnut cultivars.

Keywords: long-term storage; pretreatment; plant vitrification solution; shoot tips; vitrification; walnut

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