X-Message-Number: 9823
Date: Sun, 31 May 1998 04:27:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: preserving sperm

Authors
  Holt WV.
Institution
  Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, UK.
Title
  Alternative strategies for the long-term preservation of spermatozoa.
  [Review] [89 refs]
Source
  Reproduction, Fertility, & Development.  9(3):309-19, 1997.
Abstract
  A number of perceived future requirements for stored germplasm in
  agriculture, aquaculture, biotechnology and conservation are discussed in the
  present review. In the light of these broad demands, it is apparent that
  current approaches to gamete and embryo storage need considerable
  improvement, and that novel approaches to the technologies of germplasm
  preservation should be pursued if possible. The present article is presented
  in response to a request for novel future research ideas in this area. Early
  literature on desiccation, and later research into natural mechanisms of
  survival during desiccation, is considered in relation to the development of
  freeze-drying and vitrification methods.
  Developments in reproductive technologies themselves may mean that
  freeze-dried spermatozoa could realistically be used for
  direct intracytoplasmic microinjection of oocytes. Other radical methods that
  may achieve germplasm preservation are harvesting testicular cells in
  culture, cryopreserving immature or seasonally regressed testicular material,
  or a combination of both. Evidence from non-mammalian testicular culture
  systems, and recent success with the transmeiotic development of mouse
  spermatids in vitro, suggest that these approaches may eventually become
  feasible. [References: 89]

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