A New Freezing Box for the Managing of Semen Cryopreservation Process

Bibliographic Details
Title: A New Freezing Box for the Managing of Semen Cryopreservation Process
Authors: Ferruccio Giametta, Claudio Perone, Michele Di Iorio, Giusy Rusco, Pasquale Catalano, Nicolaia Iaffaldano
Source: Chemical Engineering Transactions, Vol 87 (2021)
Publisher Information: AIDIC Servizi S.r.l., 2021.
Publication Year: 2021
Collection: LCC:Chemical engineering
LCC:Computer engineering. Computer hardware
Subject Terms: Chemical engineering, TP155-156, Computer engineering. Computer hardware, TK7885-7895
More Details: Sperm freezing is of interest not only for animal breeding. The ability to use sperm in frozen form for AI is a key factor in ensuring the long-term preservation of genetic diversity through the creation of a sperm cryobank. The most widely used freezing method involves using straws as packaging sperm, then freezing them on liquid nitrogen (N2) vapor and finally immersing them in N2. The cryosurvival of sperm cells also varies among different animal species and has been correlated with the freezing rate, i.e., the distance of the straws above the N2 level. Identifying a freezing procedure that will report a fertilization rate as close as possible to that of fresh semen appears to be a challenge. Thus, there is a clear need to standardize the entire freezing process. In this research, a new device for semen cryopreservation is presented. The cryopreservation prototype allows management of the freezing rate by varying the heights of the support straws above the N2 level. A stainless steel box with a suitable floating frame equipped with a support for the straws was designed and fabricated. The holder is connected to the floating frame by means of two threaded rods that allow for height adjustment by screwing in appropriate guides. Two K-type thermocouples were used, one to measure the temperature of the nitrogen vapor at the height of the support and the other to measure the temperature of the semen inside the straw. In this way, different freezing protocols can be compared. By managing the freezing rate, the sperm freezing procedure, which is specific to animal species, could be standardized and thus variability in results could be minimized. In addition, improved cryosurvival and post-freezing sperm fertilization rates are expected.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2283-9216
Relation: https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/11729; https://doaj.org/toc/2283-9216
DOI: 10.3303/CET2187045
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/c8a1400590cc4968ae5b9a33762263f2
Accession Number: edsdoj.8a1400590cc4968ae5b9a33762263f2
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:22839216
DOI:10.3303/CET2187045
Published in:Chemical Engineering Transactions
Language:English