Suprazero Temperatures Research Articles

Dried storage of sperm at supra-zero temperatures: An alternative for flow cytometric analysis under field conditions

In biotechnological processes such as chromosomal manipulation studies, semen has become a reference in the ploidy verification of the evaluated material. However, the use of fresh samples is limited to the use at field conditions because the analysis is performed under laboratory conditions. Thus, this study aimed to develop a simpler procedure for storing dry semen at 28 °C to reduce cold storage costs. For this, semen samples were evaluated according to established quality semen parameters, a protocol for dry, and 3 sterilization treatments of dry semen were applied to the store. The integrity of the DNA was evaluated every two months, using fresh semen, dry semen (untreated), and particles 3C to compare the peaks by flow cytometry. The results indicated that all samples evaluated before and after drying showed no significant difference in the DNA content. UV-treated semen showed a 1C peak in the histogram up to 180 days of storage and a non-significant difference (P > 0.05) from fresh control in the number of DNA particles up to 120 days and untreated only showed a 1C peak up to 120 days. The developed method may become an interesting procedure to serve as a reference peak for practical flow cytometric analysis, not only in the field of fish biology but also in biomedical and agricultural sciences. Furthermore, dried semen can become a tool for the preservation of genetic material and is a promising low-cost storage technique for biobanking.

Stability evaluation of lyophilized probiotic bacteria

The unregulated use of antibiotics has emerged as a major driving force of antibiotic resistance and public health hazard, particularly in developing countries. This necessitates to find out a solution that benefits humans and animals. Probiotics are one such alternative; they are simply known as beneficial bacteria that exert health benefits to living beings. Probiotic microorganisms are crucial for the biotechnology and food industries. They are frequently employed as starters for the production of probiotic goods, food (such as yogurt, cheese and fermented meats), and food as well as for green chemistry uses. Bacteria can be conveniently preserved using lyophilization. It permits long-term storage and inexpensive distribution at suprazero temperatures while limiting viability and functionality losses by lowering water activity to values below 0.2. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of lyophilized probiotic after lyophilization. All the lyophilized isolates were found to be Gram positive and showed no catalase activity. The isolates fermented the sugars viz. D-glucose, Lactose, and Sucrose. Lyophilized bacteria showed tolerance against 2% and 4% NaCl concentrations. The bacteria also showed tolerance against 0.3% bile salt and pH 3. The isolates were able to inhibit the growth of enteric pathogens viz. Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, and Vibrio cholera and resistant to commercially available antibiotics viz. gentamicin, and tetracycline. It is possible to conclude that lyophilization does not affects the efficacy of probiotic bacteria. The study's findings could open up new avenues for the application of probiotic-based feeds and foods as an alternative to antibiotic among stakeholders.

TEMPO-Mediated Oxidation Promotes Cellulose Dissolution in a Zincate–NaOH System at Suprazero Temperatures

TEMPO-Mediated Oxidation Promotes Cellulose Dissolution in a Zincate–NaOH System at Suprazero Temperatures

Long-term preservation of germ cells and gonadal tissues at ambient temperatures.

ObjectiveTo present an overview of different approaches and recent advances for long-term preservation of germ cells and gonadal tissues at ambient temperatures.MethodsReview of the existing literature.ResultsPreserving viable spermatozoa, eggs, embryos, and gonadal tissues for the long term is critical in human fertility treatment and for the management of animal populations (livestock, biomedical models, and wild species). The need and number of banked germplasms are growing very fast in all disciplines, but current storage options at freezing temperatures are often constraining and not always sustainable. Recent research indicates that structures and functions of gametes or gonadal tissues can be preserved for the long term using different strategies based on dehydration and storage at supra-zero temperatures. However, more studies are needed in rehydration and reanimation of germplasms (including proper molecular and cellular evaluations).ConclusionsWhile a lot of research is still warranted to optimize drying and rehydration conditions for each sample type and each species, alternative preservation methods will change the paradigm in fertility preservation and biobanking. It will transform the way we maintain and manage precious biomaterials for the long term.Lay summaryLiving sperm cells, eggs, embryos, and reproductive tissues can be preserved at freezing temperatures for human fertility treatments and used to manage breeding in livestock, laboratory animals, and wild species through assisted reproduction. These cells can be stored in cell banks and demand for them is growing fast. However, current long-term storage options at freezing temperatures are expensive. Instead of using low temperatures, recent research indicates that these cells can be dried and stored above freezing temperatures for an extended amount of time. While a lot of research is still needed to optimize how different samples are dried and rehydrated, alternative methods of preserving cells will make fertility preservation and cell banking easier. It will also transform the way we keep and manage samples for the long term.

Long-term storage of gametes and gonadal tissues at room temperatures: the end of the ice age?

Long-term preservation of viable spermatozoa, eggs, embryos, and gonadal tissues of good quality is essential in human reproductive medicine and for the population management of livestock, laboratory, and wild species. Instead of using freezing temperatures, encouraging findings indicate that structures and functions of gametes or gonadal tissues can be suspended in trehalose glass after dehydration and then preserved at supra-zero temperatures. As a new era in fertility preservation and biobanking is about to start, the advantages, needs, and implications of germplasm storage at room temperatures must be carefully examined. Although very promising, the development of alternate biobanking strategies does not necessarily mean that the end of the "ice age" (cryopreservation) is near.

New method of FACS analyzing and sorting of intact whole ovarian fragments (COPAS) after long time (24\xa0h) cooling to 5\xa0\xb0C before cryopreservation

As recently announced by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), human ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an established option for fertility preservation in prepubertal girls and young women undergoing gonadotoxic treatments for cancer as well as some autoimmune diseases. Proper ovarian tissue assessment before and after cryopreservation is essential to increase success rates. Ovarian fragments from 16 patients were divided into small pieces in form of cortex with medulla, and randomly divided into the following two groups. Pieces of Group 1 (n = 16) were frozen immediately after operation, thawed and just after thawing their quality was analyzed. Group 2 pieces (n = 16) after operation were cooled to 5 °C for 24 h, then frozen after 24 h pre-cooling to 5 °C, thawed and just after thawing their quality was analyzed. The effectiveness of the pre-freezing cooling of tissue was evaluated by the development and viability of follicles (Calcein-AM and Propidium Iodide) using complex object parametric analyzer and sorter machine (COPAS). Positive effect of cooling of cells to low supra-zero temperatures on their future development after re-warming has been observed. New flow cytometry- technique is suitable for the evaluation and sorting of cryopreserved whole human whole intact ovarian fragments. Long time (24 h) cooling of ovarian tissue to 5 °C before cryopreservation has a trend of a cell viability increasing.

Preservation of Mammalian Sperm by Freeze-Drying.

Long-term preservation of mammalian sperm at suprazero temperatures is desired to save storage and space costs, as well as to facilitate transport of preserved samples. This can be accomplished by the freeze-drying of sperm samples. Although freeze-drying results in immotile and membrane-compromised sperm, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be used to introduce such an immotile sperm into an oocyte and thus start the fertilization process. So far, it has been shown that improved freeze-drying protocols preserve chromosomal integrity and oocyte-activating factor(s) in rodent and mammalian species at 4°C for several years and at ambient temperature for up to 1year depending on species, which permits shipping freeze-dried samples at ambient temperature. This chapter concisely reviews freeze-drying of mammalian sperm first and then presents a simple freeze-drying protocol.

Influence of Microwave-Assisted Drying on Structural Integrity and Viability of Testicular Tissues from Adult and Prepubertal Domestic Cats.

Anhydrous preservation is a promising approach for storage of living biomaterials at nonfreezing temperatures. Using the domestic cat model, the objectives of this study were to characterize changes in histology, DNA integrity, and viability of testicular tissues from adult versus prepubertal individuals during microwave-assisted drying. Testes from each age group were cut into small pieces before reversible membrane permeabilization, exposure to trehalose, and microwave-assisted drying during different time periods. In Experiment 1, water content was monitored for up to 40 minutes of drying. Tissues from adult or prepubertal cats experienced similar decreases of water content during the first 10 minutes. Desiccation progressed slowly between 10 and 20 minutes and then remained stable. In Experiment 2, structural properties were explored at 5, 10, and 20 minutes of desiccation. Percentages of normal seminiferous tubules were lower after 20 minutes drying in adult (43%) than in prepubertal tissues (61%). At the same time point, the proportion of cell degeneration was higher in adult (53%) than prepubertal tissues (28%). Percentages of intact DNA in tissues remained above 85% regardless of the microwave time in both age groups. Lastly, adult and prepubertal tissues only lost 33% of viability in both age groups. Collective results demonstrated for the first time that normal morphology, incidence of degeneration, DNA integrity, and viability of testicular tissues remained at acceptable levels during microwave-assisted drying for 20 minutes. Overall, prepubertal testicular tissues appeared to be more resilient to microwave-assisted desiccations than adult tissues. Importantly, water loss in the presence of trehalose after 20 minutes of desiccation already is compatible with long-term storage of testicular tissues at temperatures above -20°C, which is one step closer to future storage at supra-zero temperatures.

Preserving the Female Genome in Trehalose Glass at Supra-Zero Temperatures: The Relationship Between Moisture Content and DNA Damage in Feline Germinal Vesicles.

Maintaining a stable dry state is critical for long-term preservation of live biomaterials at suprazero temperatures. The objective of the study was to characterize the effect of moisture content on DNA integrity within the germinal vesicle (GV) of feline oocytes following dehydration and storage at 22-24°C. Using microwave-assisted drying, conditions that led to a predictable and stable moisture content in trehalose solutions were determined. To explore moisture content stability during storage, trehalose samples were dried for 15 min and stored in glass vials at 11 or 43% RH for 8 weeks. To examine whether this condition allowed proper storage of GVs, permeabilized cat oocytes were incubated in trehalose for 10 min and dried for 15 or 30 min. Oocytes then were rehydrated to assess DNA integrity either directly after drying or after 8 weeks of storage in an 11% RH environment. Raman spectroscopy was used to identify the states of dried samples during storage. Moisture content was stable during the storage period. There was no significant difference in DNA integrity between fresh and dried samples without storage. After 8 weeks of storage, DNA integrity was maintained in GVs dried for 30 min. Samples dried for 15 min and stored were compromised, suggesting crystallization of the preservation matrix during storage. Biostabilization was optimal when samples were directly processed to moisture contents consistent with storage in the glassy state. Microwave-assisted drying processing and storage conditions were optimized to ensure stable long-term storage of structural and functional properties of genetic resources.

Is Ovarian Tissue Transport at Supra-zero Temperatures Compared to Body Temperature Optimal for Follicle Survival?

Transportation of ovarian cortex prior to freezing is used clinically; however, basic investigations of ovarian storage are limited and the question remains what temperature is optimal for transport over long distances and time periods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of follicular loss over various time periods under two different temperatures and assess whether ovarian follicle viability is affected following cryopreservation and thawing subsequent to the transportation of ovarian tissue. Pig ovaries were transported at 4°C (n=10) or at 38°C (n=10) prior to cryopreservation. At 0, 4, 12 and 24 h tissues were fixed for histological examination and a LIVE/DEAD Assay. At the same time-points ovarian tissues were cryopreserved and analysed after thawing. Histological evaluation and LIVE/DEAD Assay of freshly transported ovarian tissue showed significantly better follicle survival at 4°C during transportation duration. In cryopreserved ovarian tissues the LIVE/DEAD Assay showed a significant difference in the number of intact and dead follicles at 24 h in favor of 4°C (p<0.05). Ovarian tissue transportation should be kept at a minimum to prevent potential damage.

Influence of microwave-assisted dehydration on morphological integrity and viability of cat ovarian tissues: First steps toward long-term preservation of complex biomaterials at supra-zero temperatures.

Ovarian tissue contains large pools of immature oocytes enclosed in primordial follicles, making it an attractive target for fertility preservation in female cancer patients, livestock and wild species. Compared to cryopreservation, desiccation and long-term storage of samples at supra-zero temperatures (using strategies inspired from small organisms to resist extreme environments) would be more cost-effective and convenient. The objective of the study was to characterize the influence of microwave-assisted dehydration on structural and functional properties of living ovarian tissues. While this method allows preservation of single cells (cat oocytes and sperm cells so far) using trehalose as the xeroprotectant, it has not been developed for multicellular tissues yet. Ovarian cortex biopsies were reversibly permeabilized, exposed to various concentrations of trehalose, and dried for different times using a commercial microwave under thermal control. Effective dehydration of samples along with proper trehalose retention were reached within 30 min of microwave drying. Importantly, the process did not affect morphology and DNA integrity of follicles or stromal cells. Moreover, transcriptional activity and survival of follicles were partially maintained following 10 min of drying, which already was compatible with storage at non-cryogenic temperatures. Present data provide critical foundation to develop dry-preservation techniques for long-term storage of living multicellular tissues.

Cryobiology of ovarian tissues: known knowns and known unknowns.

To model the cryobiological responses of cells and tissues, the cellular membrane permeability characteristics are often measured at suprazero temperatures as well as at subzero temperatures with and without the presence of extra-cellular ice. These measured membrane permeability characteristics are then used to predict the responses of cells and tissues for a given thermal insult with the ultimate aim of mitigating the damage caused during the freeze-thaw process. This brief review articles summarizes efforts from my research group over the past 15 years as related to cryobiology of mammalian ovarian tissue sections, i.e., the known knowns as well as the critical cryobiological knowledge that is still lacking to rationally design optimal cryopreservation protocols for ovarian tissues, i.e., the known unknowns.

Structural integrity and developmental potential of spermatozoa following microwave-assisted drying in the domestic cat model

Characterizing the resilience of mammalian cells to non-physiological conditions is necessary to develop preservation and long-term storage strategies at low or ambient temperatures. Using the domestic cat model, the objective of the study was to characterize structural integrity (morphology and DNA damage) as well as functional properties (sperm aster formation and embryo formation after sperm injection) of spermatozoa after microwave-assisted drying to a moisture content compatible with storage in a glassy state at supra-zero temperatures. In Experiment 1, cat epididymal spermatozoa were porated with hemolysin and dried (using a commercial microwave oven set to 20% power) in the presence of trehalose for up to 50 min in a low humidity environment (11%) before measuring moisture content and sample temperature. In Experiment 2, morphology and DNA integrity were evaluated in sperm dried for up to 30 min (using the same method as above) versus fresh spermatozoa. In Experiment 3, the functionality of sperm dried for 30 min versus fresh sperm cells was evaluated after injection into oocytes based on sperm aster formation (5 h post-injection) and embryo development in vitro over 7 days. Moisture contents compatible with dry state storage were reached after 30 min of microwave-assisted drying. After rehydration, sperm morphology was not affected and the percentages of cells with damaged DNA (∼6.5%) was similar to the fresh controls. Sperm aster diameters appeared to be generally smaller for dried-rehydrated cells compared to the fresh controls. This observation was consistent with a lower proportion of blastocyst formation after injection with dried spermatozoa (6.5%) compared to fresh spermatozoa (15%). However, the blastocyst quality based on the total blastomere number was not affected by the sperm treatment. This is the first and encouraging report in any species so far demonstrating that spermatozoa can be dried using microwaves without causing irreversible damage to the cellular structure and function.

Determination of the membrane hydraulic permeability of MSCs

Abstract A successful cryopreservation is based on knowledge of the optimal cooling rate. So far, this is often determined by way of complex parameter studies. Alternatively, the identification of cell specific characteristics, such as osmotic behaviour, membrane hydraulic permeability and activation energy could be used to calculate the optimal cooling rate. These parameters should be determined for supra-zero and sub-zero temperatures. In this study cryomicroscopy was used. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from bone marrow were analysed. The determined membrane hydraulic permeability for sub-zero temperatures is significantly lower than that for supra-zero temperatures. On the contrary the activation energy is significantly higher in the presence of ice. The addition of a cryoprotective agent (CPA) such as dimethyl sulfoxid (DMSO) shows an additional influence on the characteristics of the membrane of the cell. The optimal cooling rate was determined with these parameters. For cryopreservation without DMSO the optimal cooling rate was found to be 12.82 K/min. If the MSCs were frozen with 5% (v/v) DMSO the optimal cooling rate is 16.25 K/min.

Freezing-induced uptake of trehalose into mammalian cells facilitates cryopreservation

The aim of this study was to investigate if membrane-impermeable molecules are taken up by fibroblasts when exposing the cells to membrane phase transitions and/or freezing-induced osmotic forces. The membrane-impermeable fluorescent dye lucifer yellow (LY) was used to visualize and quantify uptake during endocytosis, and after freezing–thawing. In addition, trehalose uptake after freezing and thawing was studied. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies showed that fibroblasts display a minor non-cooperative phase transition during cooling at suprazero temperatures, whereas cells display strong highly cooperative fluid-to-gel membrane phase transitions during freezing, both in the absence and presence of protectants. Cells do not show uptake of LY upon passing the suprazero membrane phase transition at 30–10°C, whereas after freezing and thawing cells show intracellular LY equally distributed within the cell. Both, LY and trehalose are taken up by fibroblasts after freezing and thawing with loading efficiencies approaching 50%. When using 250mM extracellular trehalose during cryopreservation, intracellular concentrations greater than 100mM were determined after thawing. A plot of cryosurvival versus the cooling rate showed a narrow inverted-‘U’-shaped curve with an optimal cooling rate of 40°Cmin−1. Diluting cells cryopreserved with trehalose in isotonic cell culture medium resulted in a loss of cell viability, which was attributed to intracellular trehalose causing an osmotic imbalance. Taken together, mammalian cells can be loaded with membrane-impermeable compounds, including the protective agent trehalose, by subjecting the cells to freezing-induced osmotic stress.

Resilience of oocyte germinal vesicles to microwave-assisted drying in the domestic cat model.

The ability to compact and inject the cat germinal vesicle (GV) into a recipient cytoplast allows exploration of a new fertility preservation strategy that avoids whole oocyte freezing. The objective of the present study was to understand the impact of water loss and storage time on GV DNA integrity. Immature cat oocytes were exposed to 1.5 M trehalose for 10 min before microwave-assisted dehydration for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 40 min. Oocytes then were rehydrated to assess chromatin configuration and the incidence of DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay). The moisture content progressively decreased (p<0.05) from 1.7 to 0.1 gH2O/gDW over the first 30 min, but did not decrease further (p>0.05) after 40 min. Chromatin configuration was unaffected (p>0.05) over time. The percentage of GVs with DNA fragmentation was unaltered (p>0.05) from 0 to 30 min of treatment (range, 6.1%-12%), but increased (p<0.05) to 32.5% after 40 min. Next, the influence of storage at two different supra-zero temperatures after 30 min of drying was investigated. Oocyte-loaded, microwave-treated filters were individually sealed in Dri-Shield moisture barrier bags and stored at 4°C or ambient temperature for 0 to 8 weeks. Moisture contents gradually decreased (p<0.05) from 0.12 to 0.10 gH2O/gDW after 8 weeks of storage at 4°C or ambient temperature. The percentage of GVs with DNA fragmentation more than doubled (p<0.05) from 0 (14.3%) to 2 days (30.0%-33.0%), but remained stable (p>0.05) thereafter (1 through 4 weeks, 25.0%-35.0%). Collective results demonstrate the feasibility of using microwave processing to dehydrate the mammalian GV to a moisture content that is nonlethal and enables nonfrozen storage, an alternative approach for preserving the maternal genome at cool or ambient temperature.

Freeze-drying of lactic acid bacteria.

Lactic acid bacteria are of great importance for the food and biotechnology industry. They are widely used as starters for manufacturing food (e.g., yogurt, cheese, fermented meats, and vegetables) and probiotic products, as well as for green chemistry applications. Freeze-drying or lyophilization is a convenient method for preservation of bacteria. By reducing water activity to values below 0.2, it allows long-term storage and low-cost distribution at suprazero temperatures, while minimizing losses in viability and functionality. Stabilization of bacteria via freeze-drying starts with the addition of a protectant solution to the bacterial suspension. Freeze-drying includes three steps, namely, (1) freezing of the concentrated and protected cell suspension, (2) primary drying to remove ice by sublimation, and (3) secondary drying to remove unfrozen water by desorption. In this chapter we describe a method for freeze-drying of lactic acid bacteria at a pilot scale, thus allowing control of the process parameters for maximal survival and functionality recovery.

Freeze-drying of mammalian sperm.

Long-term preservation of mammalian sperm at suprazero temperatures is desired to save storage and space costs as well as to facilitate transport of preserved samples. This can be accomplished by the freeze-drying of sperm samples. Although freeze-drying results in immotile and membrane-compromised sperm, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be used to introduce such an immotile sperm into an oocyte and thus start the fertilization process. So far, it has been shown that improved freeze-drying protocols preserve chromosomal integrity and oocyte-activating factor(s) at 4 °C for several years and at ambient temperature for approximately 1 month, which permits shipping freeze-dried samples at ambient temperature. This chapter concisely reviews freeze-drying of mammalian sperm first and then presents a simple freeze-drying protocol.

Freeze-drying of decellularized heart valve tissues.

Decellularized xeno-antigen-depleted porcine pulmonary heart valves tissues may be used as matrix implants for patients with malfunctioning heart valves. Decellularized tissues are biological scaffolds composed of extracellular matrix components. Biological scaffolds closely resemble properties of native tissue, but lack immunogenic factors of cellular components. Decellularized heart valve scaffolds need to be stored to be readily available whenever needed. Scaffolds can be stored at reduced supra-zero temperatures, cryopreserved or freeze-dried. The advantage of freeze-drying is that it allows long-term storage at room temperature. This chapter outlines the entire process from decellularization to freeze-drying to obtain dry decellularized porcine heart valve scaffolds.

086 Optimal preservation of DNA Integrity in cat germinal vesicles after microwave-assisted dehydration and supra-zero temperature storage

The germinal vesicle (GV) is an alternative target to the whole oocyte for exploring new genome preservation approaches at supra-zero temperatures. Using the domestic cat model, we have demonstrated that the GV can survive simple air-drying and then be hydrated to reconstitute a viable oocyte (Graves-Herring et al., 2013). However, this method can lead to variable DNA damage due to uncontrolled water loss during the dehydration and storage processes. The objective of the present study was to better understand the role of water content during these critical steps on GV DNA integrity. Intraovarian immature oocytes collected from adult cat ovaries were denuded and permeabilized before exposure to 1.5 M trehalose for 10 min. Oocytes were transferred onto conjugate-release filters and dehydrated with a CEM SAM 255 microwave system. In Experiment 1, samples (n = 337 total oocytes, 4–5 replicates) were dehydrated at 20% power for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 or 40 min. Moisture contents were assessed immediately after microwaving using volumetric Karl Fischer titration. Oocytes were rehydrated to assess chromatin configuration (Hoechst staining) and DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay). Moisture contents progressively decreased (P 0.05) after 40 min. Chromatin configuration and proportions of degenerated oocytes (range, 2.2–9.1%) were unaffected (P > 0.05) over time. The incidence of GVs with DNA fragmentation was unaltered (P > 0.05) from 0 to 30 min of treatment (range, 6.1–12%), but increased (P 0.05) thereafter (1 through 4 weeks, 25.0–35.0%). This study characterizes, for the first time, the metrics and kinetics of moisture removal, degeneration and DNA damage related to GV desiccation as an alternative approach for preserving the maternal genome at cool or ambient temperature. Findings demonstrate the feasibility for successful microwave dehydration of the mammalian GV to reach an equilibrium moisture content that is non-lethal. Most DNA disruption occurs within the first 2 days of storage at supra-zero temperatures and more than two-thirds of GVs retain intact DNA regardless of further moisture loss during storage. Source of funding: National Institutes of Health. Conflict of interest: None declared. comizzolip@si.edu