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I I Katkov

Publications and source records attributed to I I Katkov.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

DNA integrity and motility of human spermatozoa after standard slow freezing versus cryoprotectant-free vitrification.

BACKGROUND: In contrast to the technique of conventional freezing, the vitrification of spermatozoa requires high cooling rates (720 000 degrees K/min), which could be damaging for spermatozoa. The aim of our study was to compare slowly frozen and vitrified spermatozoa in terms of their post-thaw DNA integrity and motility. METHODS: Semen samples were prepared according to the routine swim-up technique and divided into aliquots for comparison of fresh, conventionally frozen and vitrified spermatozoa from the same ejaculate in the presence or absence of cryoprotectants. Spermatozoa motility and DNA integrity were determined. RESULTS: The motility of spermatozoa conventionally (slowly) frozen with a cryoprotectant was similar to that recorded for spermatozoa vitrified in the absence of cryoprotectant (47 versus 52%). The DNA integrity was unaffected by the cryopreservation method or presence of cryoprotectants. CONCLUSION: The vitrification of human spermatozoa in the absence of conventional cryoprotectants is indeed feasible. The DNA integrity of vitrified sperm is comparable with that shown by standard slow-frozen/thawed spermatozoa, yet the method is quick and simple and does not require special cryobiological equipment.

Cryopreservation↗

A two-parameter model of cell membrane permeability for multisolute systems.

A two-parameter model of cell osmotic response (F. W. Kleinhans, 1998, Cryobiology 37, 271-289) is expanded for multisolute systems. The cell water volume W and intracellular osmolalities of N solutes are related as W[1 + L(p)RTSigma(N)(i=1)(M(i)/P(i))] = W(0)[1 + L(p)RTSigma(N)(i=1)(M(0)i)/P(i))], where M(i) is the intracellular osmolality of the ith solute (i = 1 ellipsis N), P(i) is the membrane permeability of the ith solute, L(p) is the membrane hydraulic conductivity, R is the gas constant, T is the absolute temperature, and the subscript "0" denotes the initial values at time zero. The above formula allows calculating the final (equilibrium) volume when all entities are permeable. Simple algebraic expressions for calculation of the number and magnitude of transient maximum volume excursions are presented. These simple expressions can all be calculated by hand on a pocket calculator. Practical examples of one-, two-, and three-solute systems are discussed. Special attention has been given to situations when systems contain an impermeable component. All formulas are simple to use for optimization of variety of cryobiological protocols. Application of the theory for optimization of addition and dilution of a permeable cryoprotectant is also discussed.

Animals↗

The enhancement of the ability of mouse sperm to survive freezing and thawing by the use of high concentrations of glycerol and the presence of an Escherichia coli membrane preparation (Oxyrase) to lower the oxygen concentration.

The cryobiological preservation of mouse spermatozoa has presented difficulties in the form of poor motilities or irreproducibility. We have hypothesized several underlying problems. One is that published studies have used concentrations of the cryoprotectant glycerol that are substantially lower (<0.3 M) than the approximately 1 M concentrations that are optimal for most mammalian cells. Another may arise from the known high susceptibility of mouse sperm to free radical damage. We have been able to obtain high motilities in 0.8 M glycerol provided that the exposure time is held to approximately 5 min to minimize toxicity and provided that the glycerol is added and removed stepwise to minimize osmotic shock. Since free radical damage in mouse sperm is proportional to the oxygen concentrations, we have determined the consequences of reducing the oxygen to <3% of atmospheric by maintaining the sperm in contact with an Escherichia coli membrane preparation, Oxyrase, from the moment of collection throughout the assessment of motility. Prior studies have shown that the procedure significantly reduces damage from centrifugation and osmotic shock. In the experiments reported here we obtained approximately 50% motility relative to untreated controls when suspensions containing 3.8% Oxyrase were exposed approximately 5 min to a solution of 0.8 M glycerol and 0.17 M (10%) raffinose in a supplemented PBS and then frozen at approximately 25 degrees C/min to -75 degrees C. In the absence of Oxyrase, the normalized motility dropped to 31%. The protection by Oxyrase was in part a consequence of minimizing centrifugation damage, but in part it reflected a reduction in freeze-thaw damage. Preliminary experiments indicate that the number of motile sperm after cryopreservation in Oxyrase is higher when the sperm are collected without swim-up than when they are collected by swim-up. This is in part due to the fact that more cells are collected in the absence of swim-up and in part due to a greater protective effect of Oxyrase on those cells. The minimum temperature in these initial experiments was limited to -75 degrees C to avoid the potential contribution of other injurious factors between -75 and -196 degrees C.

Animals↗

Factors affecting yield and survival of cells when suspensions are subjected to centrifugation. Influence of centrifugal acceleration, time of centrifugation, and length of the suspension column in quasi-homogeneous centrifugal fields.

The goals of the centrifugation of cell suspensions are to obtain the maximum yield of cells with minimum adverse effects of centrifugation. In the case of mechanically sensitive cells such as mouse sperm, the two goals are somewhat contradictory in that g-forces sufficient to achieve high yields are damaging, and g-forces that yield high viability produce low yields. This paper mathematically analyzes the factors contributing to each goal. The total yield of pelleted cells is determined by the sedimentation rate governed by Stokes' Law, and depends on the relative centrifugal force, centrifugation time, size and shape of the cells, density of the cells and medium, viscosity of the medium, and the length of the column of suspension. Because in the situation analyzed the column is short relative to the rotor radius, the analysis considers the centrifugal field to be quasi-homogeneous. The assumption is that cells are not damaged during sedimentation, but that they become injured at an exponential rate once they are pelleted, a rate that will depend on the specific cell type. The behavior is modeled by the solution of coupled differential equations. The predictions of the analysis are in good agreement with experimental data on the centrifugation of mouse sperm.

Animals↗

Mouse spermatozoa in high concentrations of glycerol: chemical toxicity vs osmotic shock at normal and reduced oxygen concentrations.

The cryobiological preservation of mouse spermatozoa has presented difficulties in the form of poor motilities or irreproducibility. We have identified several likely underlying problems. One is that published studies have used concentrations of the cryoprotectant glycerol that are substantially lower (0.3 M) than the approximately 1 M concentrations that are optimal for most cells. Another may arise from the known high susceptibility of mouse sperm to free radical damage. We have identified two contributors to damage from higher concentrations of glycerol, namely, chemical toxicity proportional to concentration and exposure time and osmotic damage arising from too rapid an addition and removal of the glycerol. When toxicity is minimized by restricting the exposure time to 1 or 5 min and osmotic shock is minimized by adding and removing the glycerol stepwise, relatively high percentages of the sperm survive contact with 0.8 M glycerol. Free-radical damage in mouse sperm is known to be proportional to the oxygen concentration. We have determined the consequences of reducing the oxygen to <3% of atmospheric by the use of a bacterial membrane preparation, Oxyrase. Oxyrase reduced damage from centrifugation and substantially reduced damage from osmotic shock; however, it did not significantly reduce glycerol toxicity.

Animals↗

Do conventional CASA-parameters reflect recovery of kinematics after freezing? CASA paradox in the analysis of recovery of spermatozoa after cryopreservation.

Conventional kinematic parameters (KPs) are averages of values obtained from analysing the entire motile fraction of cells in a sample. Occasionally, in spite of overall deterioration of semen samples after cryopreservation and other 'damaging' manipulations, the average relative (derived) KPs such as linearity (LIN), dance (DNC), dance mean (DNM) etc., may show apparently elevated values. Similarly, the absolute (actual) KPs such as straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), average velocity path (VAP), average lateral head displacement (ALH), beat-cross frequency (BCF), etc., may also be higher after damaging treatments depending on the tolerance of various sub-populations in a single sample. The conditions for this CASA-paradox are discussed. Simple modifications of actual CASA-parameters are proposed to correct the pseudo-enhancement of kinematics characteristics in processed semen samples

Journal Article↗

[Effect of cholesterol on the stability of human erythrocyte membranes to electric breakdown].

Electrical stability of human erythrocyte membranes with different cholesterol content was studied. Breakdown in the cell membranes was generated by application of electric pulses with field strengths of 1.4-3.2 kV/cm. The share of perforated cells was registered by measuring hemolysis level. The red blood cells from patients with psoriasis and normal erythrocytes after incubation in the presence of liposomes were used as a model of cells with cholesterol-rich membranes. It was discovered that an increase of cholesterol content in the membranes moved the field-dependent curves to a higher field range. The obtained effect is attributed to the increase of the breakdown membrane potential. Application of high-pulse-electric-field technique for investigating the properties of cell membranes is discussed.

Cholesterol↗

Influence of centrifugation regimes on motility, yield, and cell associations of mouse spermatozoa.

Mouse sperm are exceptionally sensitive to mechanical forces associated with pipetting and mixing. This characteristic raised the question of the sensitivity of mouse sperm to centrifugation, a step necessary in the removal of cryoprotectants and a common component in the general manipulation of sperm suspensions for experimental purpose. Epididymal spermatozoa from ICR mice were isolated and manipulated to minimize pipetting and mixing damage. The centrifugal accelerations studied were 200, 400, 600, and 800 x g (measured with a stroboscope) for 5, 10, or 15 minutes of centrifugation time. The number of cells and the number of motile cells were counted. The percent motility and longevity, total yield, and motile yield were calculated. Centrifugation at 200 and 400 x g for short times (5 minutes) caused only a small loss in either immediate or 2.5-hour motility, but centrifugation at 600 and 800 x g for 15 minutes produced up to a fivefold loss. Low speed/short time centrifugation pelleted only about half of the cells; the others were lost when the supernatant was removed. The maximum number of motile sperm (motile yield) was obtained at intermediate centrifugal forces (approximately 400 x g for 10-12 minutes), and it is the total number of motile sperm (and not the percent motility) that is important in the use of cryopreserved sperm to regenerate cryopreserved mutant lines. Relative centrifugal force and centrifugation time exhibit reciprocity (e.g., 200 x g for 10 minutes produces similar results to 400 x g for 5 minutes). The spermatozoa must be centrifuged under carefully defined conditions to minimize the damage and to maximize the recovery of viable cells.

Animals↗