Thawing Rate Research Articles

Impact of Freeze/Thaw Process on Drug Substance Storage of Therapeutics

The storage of drug substance at subzero temperatures mitigates potential risks associated with liquid storage, such as degradation and shipping stress, making it the best solution for long-term storage. However, slower (generally uncontrolled) rates of freezing and thawing of drug substance in conventional large storage containers (>2L) can lead to greater cryoconcentration (exclusion of solute molecules) resulting in zones of higher protein and excipient concentrations and changes to the desired formulation pH and excipient concentration. These conditions can negatively impact product quality, thus changing the target product profile. Freeze/thaw studies can provide valuable knowledge on the molecule even when performed from an early formulation image. This study attempts to provide guidance and strategy for planning of drug substance freeze and thaw studies in early development using a scale-down model, evaluating the impact of the (1) freeze/thaw rate, (2) mode of freezing, (3) drug substance container, (4) drug substance concentration, and (5) formulation on the drug substance product quality. Data presented in this study showed no impact on drug substance product quality after undergoing the typical one freeze/thaw cycle process for the variables evaluated. These findings suggest that a qualified scale-down model is not required for early phases of process development and that existing small-scale models can be used for drug substance storage development studies. Based on our experience, a workflow is suggested with minimal experimental design to reduce the material requirement by >70% at early stages of product development to reduce constraints.

Dielectric properties of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) during microwave thawing and heating

ABSTRACTDielectric properties of Antarctic krill and white shrimp were measured across the microwave frequency range 300–3000 MHz in a temperature range of −20 to 20 °C. To shorten thawing time, the effects of salt, sucrose and moisture contents on dielectric properties at 915 and 2450 MHz were also studied during microwave thawing (MT) and microwave heating (MH). The results indicate that the change in sucrose content had a smaller effect on dielectric properties, and only addition of salt had a significant influence (p < 0.05) on dielectric properties during MT. Moreover, when these shrimps with addition of a salt–sucrose mixture at 3% w/w were thawed and heated to 20 °C, the microwave processing time was no more than 130 s. Compared with the samples without any additives, thawing time shortened significantly when salt and sucrose were simultaneously added to the samples. Besides, the centre temperature and temperature distribution within the cross section of shrimps confirmed effects of various additives on dielectric properties, suggesting that MT and MH can be applied to the processing of freshwater and oceanic shrimp, and that addition of only salt or the salt–sucrose mixture can further quicken thawing and heating rates to optimize the industrial processing of shrimp.

Effect of Extender Compositions, Glycerol Levels, and Thawing Rates on Motility and Fertility of Cryopreserved Wild African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Sperm

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different extenders, glycerol levels, and thawing rates on post-thaw sperm motility and fertilization ability of cryopreserved African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) sperm. Having determined the main spermatological properties (volume, motility, motility duration, spermatozoa concentration and pH), the pooled ejaculates were diluted with 3 different extenders containing different glycerol levels (5, 10 and 15%) respectively. Dilution ratio was 1:10 and the diluted sperm was packaged in 0.25 ml straws and left for 10 min equilibration at 4ºC. Following equilibration, the straws were exposed to liquid nitrogen vapor for 10 min and plunged into liquid nitrogen (-196ºC), and then exposed to different thawing rates (30ºC/20s and 40ºC/20s) to determine sperm motility and post-thaw motility duration. The highest post-thaw sperm motility, motility duration, and fertilization rate was 85%, 81s, and 95% respectively when sperm was frozen with the extender (ACSE 3) containing 15% glycerol (p&lt;0.05). The protocol reported in this study can be successfully used for cryopreservation of African catfish sperm.

Effect of Extender Compositions, Glycerol Levels, and Thawing Rates on Motility and Fertility of Cryopreserved Wild African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Sperm

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different extenders, glycerol levels, and thawing rates on post-thaw sperm motility and fertilization ability of cryopreserved African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) sperm. Having determined the main spermatological properties (volume, motility, motility duration, spermatozoa concentration and pH), the pooled ejaculates were diluted with 3 different extenders containing different glycerol levels (5, 10 and 15%) respectively. Dilution ratio was 1:10 and the diluted sperm was packaged in 0.25 ml straws and left for 10 min equilibration at 4ºC. Following equilibration, the straws were exposed to liquid nitrogen vapor for 10 min and plunged into liquid nitrogen (-196ºC), and then exposed to different thawing rates (30ºC/20s and 40ºC/20s) to determine sperm motility and post-thaw motility duration. The highest post-thaw sperm motility, motility duration, and fertilization rate was 85%, 81s, and 95% respectively when sperm was frozen with the extender (ACSE 3) containing 15% glycerol (p&lt;0.05). The protocol reported in this study can be successfully used for cryopreservation of African catfish sperm.

The Thawing Characteristic of Frozen Tofu under High-Voltage Alternating Electric Field

To systematically and comprehensively investigate the high voltage alternating electric field (HVAEF) thawing processing, we investigated the high-voltage electric field thawing characteristic of the frozen tofu at different voltages for alternating current (AC). The thawing time, thawing loss of frozen tofu, and specific energy consumption (SEC) of HVEF system were measured. Seven different mathematical models were then compared to simulate thawing time curves based on root mean square error, reduced mean square of deviation, and modeling efficiency. The results showed that the thawing rate of frozen tofu was notably greater in the high-voltage electric field system when compared to control. Both Linear and Quadratic models were the best mathematical models. Therefore, this work presents a facile and effective strategy for experimentally and theoretically determining the HVAEF thawing properties of frozen tofu.

Observational study on the active layer freeze–thaw cycle in the upper reaches of the Heihe River of the north-eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Observational data collection on permafrost and active layer freeze–thaw cycle is extremely limited in the upper reaches of the Heihe River (URHHR) in the Qilian Mountains of the north-eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It acts as a bottleneck, restricting the hydrological effects of the changes in the permafrost and active layer in the Heihe River Basin. Using soil temperature, moisture and air temperature data collected from the four active layer observation sites (AL1, AL3, AL4 and AL7) established in the alpine permafrost regions in the URHHR, from 2013 to 2014, the region's active layer freeze–thaw cycle and the soil hydrothermal dynamics were comparatively analysed. As the elevation increased from 3700 m a.s.l. to 4132 m a.s.l., the mean annual ground temperatures (MAGTs) of the active layer and the active layer thicknesses (ALTs) decreased, the onset date of soil freeze of the active layer occurred earlier and the soil freeze rate increased. However, the onset date of soil thaw and the thaw rate did not exhibit significant trends. Compared to the thaw process, the duration of the active layer freeze process was significantly shortened and its rate was significantly higher. The soil freeze from bottom to top did not occur earlier than that from top to bottom. Furthermore, as elevation increased, the proportion of the bottom-up freeze layer thickness increased. The soil moisture in the thaw layer continuously moved to the freeze front during the active layer's two-way freeze process, causing the thaw layer to be dewatered. The seasonal thaw process resulted in significant reduction of the soil water content in the thaw layer, accounting for the high ice content in the vicinity of the permafrost table. Controlled by elevation, the active layer's seasonal freeze–thaw cycle was also affected by local factors, such as vegetation, slope, water (marsh water and super-permafrost water), lithology and water (ice) content. This study provides quantitative data that identify, simulate and predict the hydrological effects of the changes in the permafrost and active layer of the Heihe River Basin.

Texture and geochemistry of surface horizons of Arctic soils from a non-glaciated catchment, SW Spitsbergen

AbstractPhysical and chemical properties of Arctic soils and especially the properties of surface horizons of the soils are very important because they are responsible for the rate and character of plant colonization, development of vegetation cover, and influence the rate and depth of thawing of soils and development of active layer of permafrost during summer. The main aim of the present study is to determine and explain the spatial diversity of selected physical and chemical properties of surface horizons of Arctic soils from the non-glaciated Fuglebekken catchment located in the Hornsund area (SW Spitsbergen) by means of geostatistical approach. Results indicate that soil surface horizons in the Fuglebekken catchment are characterized by highly variable physical and chemical properties due to a heterogeneous parent material (marine sediments, moraine, rock debris), tundra vegetation types, and non-uniform influence of seabirds. Soils experiencing the strongest influence of seabird guano have a lower pH than other soils. Soils developed on the lateral moraine of the Hansbreen glacier have the highest pH due to the presence of carbonates in the parent material and a lack or presence of a poorly developed and discontinuous A horizon. The soil surface horizons along the coast of the Hornsund exhibit the highest content of the sand fraction and SiO2. The surface of soils occurring at the foot of the slope of Ariekammen Ridge is characterized by the highest content of silt and clay fractions as well as Al2O3, Fe2O3, and K2O. Soils in the central part of the Fuglebekken catchment are depleted in CaO, MgO, and Na2O in comparison with soils in the other sampling sites, which indicates the highest rate of leaching in this part of the catchment.

Cryopreservation of Prochilodus brevis semen: freezing media and thawing rates

Prochilodus brevis is a migratory fish, an important component of its river ecosystem and an appreciated animal in northeastern cuisine. However, human activities have threatened its survival. Thus, researchers have become interested in developing genetic material storage protocols, such as seminal cryopreservation. Therefore, determination of the appropriate freezing media and thawing rate is a fundamental step toward the use of this biotechnology in the production of common curimatã and for reducing risks to the species’ survival. As such, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of different freezing media and thawing rates on the quality of cryopreserved semen from P. brevis. For this study, males received a single dose of pituitary extract of carp 18 hours before semen collection. The semen samples were diluted in 5% glucose + 10% methyl glycol (MG), 5% glucose + 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 0.9% NaCl + 10% methyl glycol, and 0.9% NaCl + 10% dimethyl sulfoxide, loaded into 0.25-mL straws and frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor. The semen from each treatment was thawed at three different thawing rates: 25 °C for 30 sec, 30 °C for 16 sec and 40 °C for 12 sec. Motility, vitality and morphology analyses were performed by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). The characteristics of the fresh sperm mostly resembled those found in the literature. For the parameters analyzed, fresh sperm presented higher sperm quality in comparison to all treatments with cryopreserved sperm (p &amp;lt; 0.05), except for the characteristic of normal morphology, for which the sperm cryopreserved in glucose and MG did not differ statistically from the fresh sperm. For the cryopreserved semen, the greatest results of total motility and curvilinear velocity (VCL) were obtained using glucose and DMSO, regardless of the thawing rate employed. For the straight-line velocity (VSL) and average path velocity (VAP), DMSO showed the best results, regardless of the diluent and thawing rate. With regard to vitality, the highest values were achieved when DMSO and thawing rates of 30 °C for 16 sec or 40 °C for 12 sec were used. In the morphological analysis, the greatest percentage of normal sperm cells was obtained using thawing rates of 25 °C for 30 sec and 40 °C for 12 sec, regardless of the freezing media. Sperm quality was found to suffer interference from the freezing media, as well as from interaction between its components (diluent and cryoprotectant) and the thawing rate used. Under the methodological conditions employed, the use of 5% glucose + 10% DMSO and a thawing rate of 30 °C for 16 seconds or 40 °C for 12 seconds is recommended for P. brevis semen cryopreservation.

Cryopreserving turkey semen in straws and nitrogen vapour using DMSO or DMA: effects of cryoprotectant concentration, freezing rate and thawing rate on post-thaw semen quality

1. This study was designed to identify a suitable protocol for freezing turkey semen in straws exposed to nitrogen vapour by examining the effects of dimethylacetamide (DMA) or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as cryoprotectant (CPA), CPA concentration, freezing rate and thawing rate on in vitro post-thaw semen quality.2. Pooled semen samples were diluted 1:1 (v:v) with a freezing extender composed of Tselutin diluent containing DMA or DMSO to give final concentrations of 8% or 18% DMA and 4% or 10% DMSO. The semen was packaged in 0.25 ml plastic straws and frozen at different heights above the liquid nitrogen (LN2) surface (1, 5 and 10 cm) for 10 min. Semen samples were thawed at 4°C for 5 min or at 50°C for 10 s. After thawing, sperm motility, viability and osmotic tolerance were determined.3. Cryosurvival of turkey sperm was affected by DMSO concentration. Freezing rate affected the motility of sperm cryopreserved using both CPAs, while thawing rates showed an effect on the motility of sperm cryopreserved using DMA and on the viability of sperm cryopreserved using DMSO. Significant interactions between freezing rate × thawing rate on sperm viability in the DMA protocol were found.4. The most effective freezing protocol was the use of 18% DMA or 10% DMSO with freezing 10 cm above the LN2 surface and a thawing temperature of 50°C. An efficient protocol for turkey semen would improve prospects for sperm cryobanks and the commercial use of frozen turkey semen.

Comparison of threshold hydrologic response across northern catchments

AbstractNine mid‐latitude to high‐latitude headwater catchments – part of the Northern Watershed Ecosystem Response to Climate Change (North‐Watch) programme – were used to analyze threshold response to rainfall and snowmelt‐driven events and link the different responses to the catchment characteristics of the nine sites. The North‐Watch data include daily time‐series of various lengths of multiple variables such as air temperature, precipitation and discharge. Rainfall and meltwater inputs were differentiated using a degree‐day snowmelt approach. Distinct hydrological events were identified, and precipitation‐runoff response curves were visually assessed. Results showed that eight of nine catchments showed runoff initiation thresholds and effective precipitation input thresholds. For rainfall‐triggered events, catchment hydroclimatic and physical characteristics (e.g. mean annual air temperature, median flow path distance to the stream, median sub‐catchment area) were strong predictors of threshold strength. For snowmelt‐driven events, however, thresholds and the factors controlling precipitation‐runoff response were difficult to identify. The variability in catchments responses to snowmelt was not fully explained by runoff initiation thresholds and input magnitude thresholds. The quantification of input intensity thresholds (e.g. snow melting and permafrost thawing rates) is likely required for an adequate characterization of nonlinear spring runoff generation in such northern environments. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

A high-throughput strategy to controlled thawing of cryopreserved fish semen for large-scale laboratory fertilization trials - a simulation approach

Cryopreservation of fish semen is a modern technology. In the present study a simulation with SolidWorks FlowSimulation 2014 was conducted to determine if automated, simultaneous thawing of a large number of straws is possible. It was simulated with straws that were taken out of the liquid nitrogen container and clamped into semicircular indentations between two metal blocks (=thawing block). Cooling coils, allowing an exact temperature control, crossed the blocks. Different thawing conditions were simulated and compared with thawing rates obtained in a water bath. Comparison of thawing rates was by calculating the area under curve (AUC) (mathematically known as integral), as this computation is very useful for comparing changes over a time interval. AUCs obtained by waterbath thawing at 25°C differed by only 1.84% from AUCs obtained by thawing simulations in the thawing block. These data represent the first promising results that automated thawing of multiple straws can be handled.

Centrifuge experimental study of thaw settlement characteristics of mucky clay after artificial ground freezing

Artificial ground freezing (AGF) plays a significant role in the construction of subway tunnel cross passages, underground commercial streets and underground pumping stations, etc. especially under adverse hydro-geological conditions. Associated with the properties of high water content and large void ratio in saturated Shanghai mucky clay, large thaw settlement has arisen after AGF construction. The thawing response is much more complicated compared to freezing and less research work has been documented in the AGF method partly due to the long-period and variability in the redistribution of water released from melting ice crystals and the rewetting of the soil aggregates in clay. This paper presented a series of centrifuge model tests to derive the thawing function development and predict the thaw settlement. The results show that the thawing rate was distinct and larger than the conventional results of small sample tests without stress acting. The thawing front advanced much faster compare to the development in natural frozen soil. An improved gray prediction model emphasizes that a simple analytical result with new thaw front function is much consistent with the experimental and prediction results. All the discussions demonstrate that small scale specimen thaw test at 1g is not capable to directly apply into full scale prediction of the thaw settlement in thick soft saturated clay after artificial ground freezing construction, in which self-weight dominates the process of consolidation. This could motivate, in the near future of computation model development, that the large strain thaw consolidation theory should be applied to prognosticate the long-term settlement of thick soft mucky clay after artificial ground freezing construction.

Simulation and evaluation of freeze-thaw cryoablation scenarios for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias

BackgroundCardiac cryoablation is a minimally invasive procedure to treat cardiac arrhythmias by cooling cardiac tissues responsible for the cardiac arrhythmia to freezing temperatures. Although cardiac cryoablation offers a gentler treatment than radiofrequency ablation, longer interventions and higher recurrence rates reduce the clinical acceptance of this technique. Computer models of ablation scenarios allow for a closer examination of temperature distributions in the myocardium and evaluation of specific effects of applied freeze-thaw protocols in a controlled environment.MethodsIn this work multiple intervention scenarios with two freeze-thaw cycles were simulated with varying durations and starting times of the interim thawing phase using a finite element model verified by in-vivo measurements and data from literature. To evaluate the effects of different protocols, transmural temperature distributions and iceball dimensions were compared over time. Cryoadhesion durations of the applicator were estimated in the interim thawing phase with varying thawing phase starting times. In addition, the increase of cooling rates was compared between the freezing phases, and the thawing rates of interim thawing phases were analyzed over transmural depth.ResultsIt could be shown that the increase of cooling rate, the regions undergoing additional phase changes and depths of selected temperatures depend on the chosen ablation protocol. Only small differences of the estimated cryoadhesion duration were found for ablation scenarios with interim thawing phase start after 90 s freezing.ConclusionsBy the presented model a quantification of effects responsible for cell death is possible, allowing for the analysis and optimization of cryoablation scenarios which contribute to a higher clinical acceptance of cardiac cryoablation.

Impact of high voltage electric field thawing on the quality of frozen tuna fish (Thunnus albacares)

Recently, high voltage electric field (HVEF) has been considered as a new technology in the food industry. Since this method has several benefits over conventional methods, the changes in the quality of tuna fish cuts under HVEF thawing were compared with those in control samples. The experimental tuna cubes were thawed under HVEF subjected to three different voltages from corona starting to breakdown voltage (4.5–14kV) at electrode gaps of 3, 4.5, and 6cm; the control being thawed at 20°C without being subjected to HVEF. The results showed that thawing under HVEF significantly improves thawing rate and total volatile binding nitrogen of the frozen fish cubes. The highest thawing rate was 1.78 times greater than that obtained for the control samples. However, color, texture, and protein solubility of fish samples declined as a result of thawing under HVEF. Increasing the applied voltage decreased protein solubility and affected the hardness, gumminess, cohesiveness, and chewiness of the fish samples as compared to the control. The application of HVEF thawing has the potential of extending the freshness of thawed tuna fish.

Effect of Novel Quick Freezing Techniques Combined with Different Thawing Processes on Beef Quality.

This study investigated the effect of various freezing and thawing techniques on the quality of beef. Meat samples were frozen using natural convection freezing (NF), individual quick freezing (IQF), or cryogenic freezing (CF) techniques, followed by natural convection thawing (NCT) or running water thawing (RT). The meat was frozen until the core temperature reached -12℃ and then stored at -24℃, followed by thawing until the temperature reached 5℃. Quality parameters, such as the pH, water binding properties, CIE color, shear force, and microstructure of the beef were elucidated. Although the freezing and thawing combinations did not cause remarkable changes in the quality parameters, rapid freezing, in the order of CF, IQF, and NF, was found to minimize the quality deterioration. In the case of thawing methods, NCT was better than RT and the meat quality was influence on the thawing temperature rather than the thawing rate. Although the microstructure of the frozen beef exhibited an excessive loss of integrity after the freezing and thawing, it did not cause any remarkable change in the beef quality. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CF and NCT form the best combination for beef processing; however, IQF and NCT may have practical applications in the frozen food industry.

마이크로웨이브 해동 조건에 따른 냉동밥의 이화학적 특성 변화

The effects of freezing and thawing rates on the physicochemical properties of rice were investigated to improve the quality of frozen rice as a home meal replacement product. Cooked rice was frozen by an individual quickfreezing (IQF) system at -45C or by a conventional freezing (CF) system at -24C. The frozen rice was then thawed using a microwave oven with multiple output powers of 200, 600 and 1000 W. The quality of rice was evaluated by the water content, color and the textural properties of hardness and adhesiveness. In addition, the internal microstructure of the rice grain was observed by scanning electron microscope. Results showed that rice thawed by 600 W of microwaves contained lower water content and had harder textures than those treated with 200 or 1000 W. Lightness and redness of rice was increased by the freezing-thawing process, whereas yellowness decreased. The total color difference of individual quick-frozen rice was lower than conventional frozen rice. Microstructure imaging showed the thawed rice contained a crack in the core of the grain. Moreover, the large pore may occur with the 1000 W microwave. High freezing and thawing rates seemed to improve the quality of frozen rice. However, using more than 600 W of microwaves leads to the hardening of texture or porous structures in the rice.

Study on High Voltage Electrostatic Field Thawing Technology of Fish

In order to improve the thawing qualities of fish, a thawing process of high voltage electrostatic field (HVEF) was studied. It was compared with nature thawing on the basis of thawing rate and the fish’s qualities index such as pH, thawing loss, cooking loss and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N). The results showed that the high voltage electrostatic field can improve the thawing rate of fish significantly. Compared with nature thawing, the thawed fish under t HVEF had better qualities such as lower thawing loss and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N). HVEF thawing has advantages, which can be used as a substitute method.

An investigation of the effects from a urethral warming system on temperature distributions during cryoablation treatment of the prostate: A phantom study

Introduction of urethral warmers to aid cryosurgery in the prostate has significantly reduced the incidence of urethral sloughing; however, the incidence rate still remains as high as 15%. Furthermore, urethral warmers have been associated with an increase of cancer recurrence rates. Here, we report results from our phantom-based investigation to determine the impact of a urethral warmer on temperature distributions around cryoneedles during cryosurgery. Cryoablation treatments were simulated in a tissue mimicking phantom containing a urethral warming catheter. Four different configurations of cryoneedles relative to urethral warming catheter were investigated. For each configuration, the freeze–thaw cycles were repeated with and without the urethral warming system activated. Temperature histories were recorded at various pre-arranged positions relative to the cryoneedles and urethral warming catheter. In all configurations, the urethral warming system was effective at maintaining sub-lethal temperatures at the simulated surface of the urethra. The warmer action, however, was additionally demonstrated to potentially negatively impact treatment lethality in the target zone by elevating minimal temperatures to sub-lethal levels. In all needle configurations, rates of freezing and thawing were not significantly affected by the use of the urethral warmer. The results indicate that the urethral warming system can protect urethral tissue during cryoablation therapy with cryoneedles placed as close as 5mm to the surface of the urethra. Using a urethral warming system and placing multiple cryoneedles within 1cm of each other delivers lethal cooling at least 5mm from the urethral surface while sparing urethral tissue.

Comparison of different cryoprotectant regimes for vitrification of ovine embryos produced in vivo

This study was aimed to compare different cryoprotectants for vitrification of sheep embryos produced in vivo. Blastocysts were obtained from superovulated Santa Ines ewes and randomized into three groups: conventional freezing using ethylene glycol (EG) (control group), vitrification with EG and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO vitrification), or vitrification with EG and dimethylformamide (DMF vitrification). All groups were analyzed for embryonic viability (propidium iodide staining), re-expansion rate after thawing (at morphological and ultrastructural levels) and pregnancy rate after embryo transfer (ET). Embryos of DMSO vitrification group showed lower cell viability (44.44%), compared to DMF group and control embryos (77.77% and 100%, respectively). The ultrastructural study showed similar cryopreservation damage among control and DMF embryos, and these were less damaged than DMSO vitrified embryos. Embryos vitrified with DMF had higher rates of re-expansion in vitro (53.33%) than DMSO (26.66%), and control (33.33%). After ET, similar pregnancy rates were obtained from all groups (DMF: 45%, DMSO: 30%, control: 40%). Collectively, DMF vitrification is more efficient than DMSO vitrification and is indistinguishable from conventional freezing of sheep embryos.

Association of vitamin E with rapid thawing on goat semen.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin E associated with rapid thawing on cryopreserved goat semen. Two bucks were used and eight ejaculates per animal were collected using artificial vagina. Semen was diluted with the following treatments: BIOXCELL (control), BIOXCELL + Equex (sodium lauryl sulphate) and BIOXCELL + vitamin E 100 μM. Semen was packaged into 0.25 mL straws and cooled at 5°C for 1 hour. Freezing was performed in liquid nitrogen vapor (−155°C) during 15 minutes. Then, the straws were immersed in liquid nitrogen (−196°C). Straws were thawed at 38°C/60 seconds or at 60°C/7 seconds with immediate sperm analysis. Hypoosmotic swelling test was performed adding a 20 μL aliquot of thawed semen to 1 mL of hypoosmotic solution (100 mOsm·Kg−1) followed by incubation during 60 minutes in water bath (38°C). Vitamin E did not affect any studied parameters (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, defrosting rate of 60°C/7 seconds improved sperm membrane functional integrity (P < 0.05). Current knowledge about goat semen cryopreservation is not sufficient to ensure high post-thawing recovery rates; thus, this study brings important data about using antioxidants and different thawing rates on cryopreservation process.