Special Issue "New Challenges in Cryopreservation"

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2022.

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Daniela Bebbere
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Interests: developmental biology; ovine and bovine reproduction; gene expression; epigenetics; oocytes; embryos; assisted reproductive technologies; cryopreservation
Dr. Sara Succu
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Interests: ruminant reproduction; oocyte quality; embryo development; cryopreservation (oocytes, semen, embryos); in vitro culture; follicular dynamic; fertility

Special Issue Information

Dear colleague,

Cryopreservation is a fundamental procedure to maintain the structure and function of cells and tissues when stored at low temperatures for long periods. Despite being developed in the early 1900s, it maintains an essential role in the conservation of living material in different fields, including health, biodiversity conservation, and biotechnologies.

The field has evolved significantly since that time, and extensive research has resulted in the development of new approaches to create an acceptable balance betweenpositive and negative effects of cryopreservation. Efforts were mainly addressed to limit the damages caused by exposure to low temperatures and to reduce thestill high costs, increasing its applicability. Most recent technologies have opened new opportunities to optimize protocols and understand cell biological response to cryopreservation.

Aim of this special issue is to publish high-quality research papers as well as review articles addressing new or alternative approaches in the field of cryopreservation of cells and tissues.

Original, high quality contributions that are not yet published or under review by other journals are sought.

Potential topics include, but are not limited, to the following:

  • Novel cryopreservation technologies, including protocols, devices or equipment.
  • Recent developments in the use of new cryoprotective molecules.
  • Molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the response to cryopreservation.
  • Effects of cryopreservation on the epigenome of cells.
  • Novel strategies in cryopreservation applied to reproduction (gametes, embryos and gonads).
  • Use of nanotechnologies in cryopreservation.

Dr. Daniela Bebbere
Dr. Sara Succu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Cryopreservation methods
  • Cryoprotectants
  • Cryodevices
  • Gametes
  • Embryos
  • Gonads
  • Somatic cells
  • Biodiversity conservation
  • Cryopreservation equipment

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Article
Effects of Saccharides Supplementation in the Extender of Cryopreserved Rooster (Gallus domesticus) Semen on the Fertility of Frozen/Thawed Spermatozoa
Animals 2021, 11(1), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010189 - 14 Jan 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 537
Abstract
The aim of this study was to create balanced media for the cryopreservation of rooster semen in pellets to maintain the functional state of the sperm after thawing. Fructose was replaced by trehalose in experimental media in proportions of 10% (LCM-T10) and 20% [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to create balanced media for the cryopreservation of rooster semen in pellets to maintain the functional state of the sperm after thawing. Fructose was replaced by trehalose in experimental media in proportions of 10% (LCM-T10) and 20% (LCM-T20), while LCM was used as a control. After artificial insemination of the hens, the eggs were incubated (n = 400). To determine the functional safety of spermatozoa in the genital tract of hens after 5, 10, and 15 days from the last insemination, we used a method for assessing the interaction of sperm with the perivitelline membrane. Significantly higher rates of egg fertilization (82–86%) were obtained when using LCM-T10 and LCM-T20 compared to control (79%, p < 0.05). Egg fertility on the 5th day from the last insemination with the LCM-T20 diluent reached 100% versus 86% in the control; on the 10th day, the fertility rates were 55% versus 20%, respectively. The best results for fertility duration were obtained by freezing spermatozoa with LCM-T20 medium. The numbers of interaction points of spermatozoa with the perivitelline membrane were as follows: on the 5th day from the last insemination with LCM-T20—461.5 ± 11.5 holes/cm2 (LCM-control—13.7 ± 2.7 holes/cm2), p < 0.01; on the 10th day with LCM-T20—319.3 ± 12.9 holes/cm2 (LCM-control—14.9 ± 3.5 holes/cm2); and on the 15th day with LCM-T20—345.2 ± 11.1 holes/cm2 (LCM-control—0 holes/cm2). In conclusion, the use of trehalose in LCM diluent medium can increase the fertility of frozen/thawed sperm and the duration of their fertility in the genital tract of hens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Cryopreservation)
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Article
The Effect of Adding Different Levels of Curcumin and Its Nanoparticles to Extender on Post-Thaw Quality of Cryopreserved Rabbit Sperm
Animals 2020, 10(9), 1508; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091508 - 26 Aug 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1122
Abstract
The cryopreservation process adversely affects sperm function and quality traits, causing some changes at biochemical and structural levels, due to mechanical, thermal, osmotic, and oxidative damage. Supplementation with curcumin nanoparticles could prevent and even revert this effect and could enhance the post/thawed sperm [...] Read more.
The cryopreservation process adversely affects sperm function and quality traits, causing some changes at biochemical and structural levels, due to mechanical, thermal, osmotic, and oxidative damage. Supplementation with curcumin nanoparticles could prevent and even revert this effect and could enhance the post/thawed sperm quality in the rabbit. The study amid to explore the effect of curcumin (CU) and curcumin nanoparticles (CUNPs) supplementation in semen extender on post/thawed rabbit sperm quality. Twelve fertile, healthy rabbit bucks were included, and the ejaculates were collected using artificial vaginas. Rabbit pooled semen was cryopreserved in tris-yolk fructose (TYF) extender without any supplement (control group) or extender supplemented with CU at levels of 0.5, 1 or 1.5 µg/mL (CU0.5, CU1.0, and CU1.5, respectively) or CUNPs at levels of 0.5, 1, 1.5 (CUNPs0.5, CUNPs1.0, and CUNPs1.5, respectively) and was packed in straws (0.25 mL) and stored in liquid nitrogen (−196 °C). Results revealed that CUNPs1.5 had a positive influence (p < 0.05) on post-thawing sperm progressive motility, viability, and membrane integrity as compared with the other groups. Percentages of dead sperm, abnormalities, early apoptotic, apoptotic, and necrotic sperm cells reduced (p < 0.05) in CUNPs1.5 as compared to other treatments. Using 1.5 µg/mL of CUNPs significantly improved total antioxidant capacity (TAC), GPx, while MDA and POC reduced (p < 0.05) in CU1.5 in comparison with other groups. SOD values were enhanced (p < 0.05) in CUNPs1.0 and CUNPs1.5 in relation with other treatments. Conclusively, the addition of curcumin and its nanoparticles to the extender can improve the post-thawed quality of rabbit sperm via redox signaling and reduce the apoptosis process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Cryopreservation)
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Article
Long-Term Phenotypic and Proteomic Changes Following Vitrified Embryo Transfer in the Rabbit Model
Animals 2020, 10(6), 1043; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10061043 - 17 Jun 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 730
Abstract
Nowadays, assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are considered valuable contributors to our past, but a future without their use is inconceivable. However, in recent years, several studies have evidenced a potential impact of ART on long-term development in mammal species. To date, the long-term [...] Read more.
Nowadays, assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are considered valuable contributors to our past, but a future without their use is inconceivable. However, in recent years, several studies have evidenced a potential impact of ART on long-term development in mammal species. To date, the long-term follow-up data are still limited. So far, studies have mainly focused on in vitro fertilization or in vitro culture, with information from gametes/embryos cryopreservation field being practically missing. Herein, we report an approach to determine whether a vitrified embryo transfer procedure would have long-term consequences on the offspring. Using the rabbit as a model, we compared animals derived from vitrified-transferred embryos versus those naturally conceived, studying the growth performance, plus the weight throughout life, and the internal organs/tissues phenotype. The healthy status was assessed over the hematological and biochemical parameters in peripheral blood. Additionally, a comparative proteomic analysis was conducted in the liver tissue to investigate molecular cues related to vitrified embryo transfer in an adult tissue. After vitrified embryo transfer, birth weight was increased, and the growth performance was diminished in a sex-specific manner. In addition, vitrified-transferred animals showed significantly lower body, liver and heart weights in adulthood. Molecular analyses revealed that vitrified embryo transfer triggers reprogramming of the liver proteome. Functional analysis of the differentially expressed proteins showed changes in relation to oxidative phosphorylation and dysregulations in the zinc and lipid metabolism, which has been reported as possible causes of a disturbed growth pattern. Therefore, we conclude that vitrified embryo transfer is not a neutral procedure, and it incurs long-term effects in the offspring both at phenotypic and molecular levels. These results described a striking example of the developmental plasticity exhibited by the mammalian embryo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Cryopreservation)
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Brief Report
Long-Term Effects Following Fresh/Vitrified Embryo Transfer Are Transmitted by Paternal Germline in a Large Size Rabbit Cohort
Animals 2020, 10(8), 1272; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081272 - 25 Jul 2020
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 630
Abstract
The concept of developmental programming suggests that the early life environment influences offspring phenotype in later life, whose effects may also be manifested in further generations. Valuable pieces of evidence come from the fields applying assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), which deprive embryos of [...] Read more.
The concept of developmental programming suggests that the early life environment influences offspring phenotype in later life, whose effects may also be manifested in further generations. Valuable pieces of evidence come from the fields applying assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), which deprive embryos of their optimal maternal environment and were thus associated with subsequent developmental deviations. Recently, we demonstrated that the in vitro manipulations during a vitrified embryo transfer procedure incurs a cumulative and transgenerational decline in the growth performance of the resulting offspring. Here, we provide a longitudinal study to investigate whether previous developmental deviations could be indistinctly paternally or maternally transmitted using crossbred mattings. Our findings revealed that early embryo manipulations through fresh and vitrified embryo transfer incurred paternally transmissible effects over the growth pattern and adult body weight, which seemed not inheritable via the female germline. Similar inheritable effects were observed after fresh and vitrified embryo transfer, suggesting that disturbing optimal embryo development through in vitro manipulations was the principal trigger of transmissible effects, rather than embryo cryopreservation per se. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Cryopreservation)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

1. Tentatibe Title: Freezing protocol optimization for Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) epididymal sperm to process samples under field conditions: alternative equilibration period and cooling and freezing techniques.

AuthorS: Medina-Chávez DA., Soler AJ., Martín-Maestro A., Villaverde S., Iniesta-Cuerda M., Peris-Frau P; Sánchez-Ajofrín I; García-Álvarez O; Fernández-Santos MR; Garde JJ.
Affiliation: Grupo SaBio, IREC, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain

2. Tentative Title: Cryoprotective effect of ergothionein and isoespintanol in canine semen freezing

Authors: Alexandra Usuga 1, Irene Tejera 1, Jorge E. Gómez 2, Oliver Restrepo-Rojas 3, Benjamín Rojano 4, Giovanni Restrepo 5*

Affiliation: 1 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Universidad CES, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia.
2 Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Politécnico Colombiano Jaime Isaza Cadavid, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia.
3 Nutri-Solla Research Group, Solla S.A., Itagüí, Antioquia, Colombia
4 Faculty of Science, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia.
5 Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia.

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