The Current Trends in Using Nanoparticles, Liposomes, and Exosomes for Semen Cryopreservation

Abstract

Cryopreservation is an essential tool to preserve sperm cells for zootechnical management and artificial insemination purposes. Cryopreservation is associated with sperm damage via different levels of plasma membrane injury and oxidative stress. Nanoparticles are often used to defend against free radicals and oxidative stress generated through the entire process of cryopreservation. Recently, artificial or natural nanovesicles including liposomes and exosomes, respectively, have shown regenerative capabilities to repair damaged sperm during the freeze–thaw process. Exosomes possess a potential pleiotropic effect because they contain antioxidants, lipids, and other bioactive molecules regulating and repairing spermatozoa. In this review, we highlight the current strategies of using nanoparticles and nanovesicles (liposomes and exosomes) to combat the cryoinjuries associated with semen cryopreservation.

Seminal Plasma: Relevant for Fertility?

“…However, one matter is cryosurvival and another fertility as such, although they are highly related. Another approach could be the design of “synthetic EVs”, mimicking liposomes [ 266 ], which have been proven as relevant for protecting spermatozoa during cooling and post-AI. An intermediate approach is to combine the isolation of native SP EVs with techniques to upload specific molecules, relevant for fertility.…”

“…Hope is now focused on the growing knowledge on EVs and their functional cargo, mostly because they would be protected by the membranebuilt EVs and because they would probably be the best delivered to living spermatozoa [175]. There are several strategies, such as isolation and preservation of the EVs derived from the SP of recognized and well-documented highly fertile males, to be used as additives for improvement of fertility [266]. The rationale follows proven experiments where…”

Implications of cryopreservation on structural and functional attributes of bovine spermatozoa: An overview

“…The supplementation of 10 μg/ml of recombinant AFPs in the diluent promotes cryosurvivability yield higher in vitro cleavage and in vivo fertility rate in Nili Ravi buffalo bulls (Qadeer et al., 2016). Nanotechnology provides new opportunities for sperm manipulation, nanoparticles are used to defend against free radicals and concomitant oxidative stress generated during the freeze‐thaw procedure (Saadeldin et al., 2020). In Holstein bulls, supplementation of selenium nanoparticles (Se‐NPs) at the rate of 1.0 μg/ml in diluents significantly improved sperm characteristics, intact sperm %, and significantly decreased % of apoptotic and necrotic spermatozoa in frozen‐thawed semen (Khalil et al., 2019).…”

Sperm Selection Procedures for Optimizing the Outcome of ICSI in Patients with NOA

“…Similarly, in testes, the use of nanoparticles containing necrosis-inhibitory factors greatly improved tissue integrity and survival of germ cells [ 221 ]. Artificial or natural nanovesicles, such as liposomes and exosomes, are also promising measures for protecting sperm from the harmful consequences of freezing and thawing [ 222 ]. After exosomes are secreted from the cell, they are taken in by the target cells and transfer their protein and RNA contents to those cells.…”