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Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Review

Human sperm vitrification: the state of the art

Authors: Yong Tao, Erika Sanger, Arpornrad Saewu, Marie-Claude Leveille

Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Sperm cryopreservation has been widely used in assisted reproductive technology (ART) and has resulted in millions of live births. Two principal approaches have been adopted: conventional (slow) freezing and vitrification. As a traditional technique, slow freezing has been successfully employed and widely used at ART clinics whereas the latter, a process to solidify liquid into an amorphous or glassy state, may become a faster alternative method of sperm cryopreservation with significant benefits in regard to simple equipment and applicability to fertility centers. Sperm vitrification has its own limitations. Firstly, small volume of load is usually plunged to liquid nitrogen to achieve high cooling rate, which makes large volume sample cryopreservation less feasible. Secondly, direct contact with liquid nitrogen increases the potential risk of contamination. Recently, new carriers have been developed to facilitate improved control over the volume and speed, and new strategies have been implemented to minimize the contamination risk. In summary, although sperm vitrification has not yet been applied in routine sperm cryopreservation, its potential as a standard procedure is growing.
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Metadata
Title
Human sperm vitrification: the state of the art
Authors
Yong Tao
Erika Sanger
Arpornrad Saewu
Marie-Claude Leveille
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7827
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-020-00580-5

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