Sperm Cryopreservation: Principles and Biology

Abstract

Cryopreservation is a widely used method to preserve sperm prior to any cytotoxic therapy or testicular surgical intervention to be used later for assisted conception. Despite of multiple modifications in cryopreservation protocols, the yield of post-thaw good quality sperm has not been improved much. There is little data regarding factors affecting cryopreservation techniques and outcomes. Present review focuses on the basic biology of cryopreservation, its current protocols and effects on sperm proteomic and epigenomic modifications.