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										|   | Volume 41, No. 5 September/October 2020 ISSN 0143-2044 |   |  
										|   | 
 Remembering Dirk K Hincha
 | ii |   |  
										|   | PERSPECTIVE: Possible protective mechanisms of coenzyme Q10 action on spermatozoa during 
												cryopreservation or cooled-stored condition (PDF)
 Michael Osei Appiah, Bismark Asante-Badu, Jing Zhao,
 Hongyu Liu, Jun Wang and Wenfa Lu
 | 246-256 |   |  
										|   | Incubation with cholesterol loaded cyclodextrin and subsequent dilution in partially deoxygenated extender improves the freezability of crossbred bull 
												sperm
 Rahul Katiyar, Subrata Kumar Ghosh, Jai Kishan Prasad,
 Abhishek Kumar, Lhendup Bhutia, Vinod Gupta
 and Rupali Rautela
 | 257-266 |   |  
										|   | The potential of cryotherapy to remove sugarcane mosaic virus from 
												sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) shoot tips
 M.T. González-Arnao, M. Banasiak, S.J. Snyman
 and Sershen
 | 267-271 |   |  
										|   | Cryopreservation of collared peccary (Pecari tajacu  Linnaeus, 1758) somatic cells is improved by sucrose and high concentrations of fetal bovine 
												serum
 Gabriela Pereira de Oliveira Lira, Alana Azevedo Borges,
 Matheus Barbosa do Nascimento,
 Leonardo Vitorino Costa de Aquino, Moacir Franco de Oliveira, Alexandre Rodrigues Silva and Alexsandra Fernandes Pereira
 | 272-280 |   |  
										|   | Storage behavior and cryopreservation of Citrus cavaleriei, an endangered, cold-resistant species of northeast India with exceptionally large seeds
 S. K. Malik, Ravish Choudhary, Sukhdeep Kaur,
 Rekha Chaudhury and Hugh W. Pritchard
 | 281-290 |   |  
										|   | Detection of the metastable ice phase during water crystallization
 Kosuke Kondo, Kenji Hara, Osaka Keiichi, Shuji Abe
 and Kazuhito Kajiwara
 | 291-296 |   |  
										|   | Oxidative stress-induced changes in fertility status of cryopreserved sperm: a diagnosis based on sperm chromatin dispersion assay
 Archana Kumar and T.B. Sridharan
 
 | 297-302 |   |  
										|   | A microfluidic approach for cryoprotectant screening: preliminary validation with human red blood cells
 Qianqian Hu, Lingxiao Shen, Xiaojie Guo, Xiaoyu Hu,
 Zhifeng Liu and Gang Zhao
 
 | 303-307 |   |  
										|   |      Top of page CryoLetters 41 (5), 246-256 (2020)© CryoLetters, businessoffice@cryoletters.org
 PERSPECTIVE:POSSIBLE PROTECTIVE MECHANISMS OF COENZYME Q10 ACTION ON SPERMATOZOA DURING CRYOPRESERVATION OR COOLED-STORED CONDITION
 Michael Osei Appiah1,2,3 #, Bismark Asante-Badu4,#, Jing Zhao1,2,3,Hongyu Liu1,2,3, Jun Wang1,2,3,* and Wenfa Lu1,2,3,*
 1Joint Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation,2Key Laboratory of Animal Production, Product Quality, and Security,
 3College of Animal Science and Technology,
 4College of Resources and Environmental Science,
 Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, P.R. China.
 # These authors contributed equally to this work.
 * Corresponding authors’ E-mails: Jun Wang, E-mail: moa4short@outlook.com
 Abstract Artificial insemination (AI) with frozen or cooled-stored semen plays a key role in the widespread distribution of germplasm of elite livestock resources and the protection of 
								endangered species. Cryopreservation provides long-term preservation of sperm and also encourages a greater exchange of genetic material between distant populations. However, 
								freezing has some detrimental effects on sperm, including premature induction of acrosome response, reduced sperm motility, reduced viability, and impaired sperm DNA integrity and 
								fertility. The transition of the membrane phase occurs when the sperm cools down, and lipid accumulation damages the micro-domain, thereby impairing membrane functions, leaving a 
								gap between the gel and the liquid membrane region. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a vital lipophilic molecule found in all respiratory eukaryotic cells, including spermatozoa. When 
								such a lipophilic antioxidant is added to the sperm, it can directly diffuse into the polyunsaturated lipid chain present in the plasma membrane, thereby affecting the structure 
								and function of the sperm by generating energy and preventing reactive oxygen. Coenzyme Q10 treatment of sperm from various species improves sperm quality during cryopreservation 
								and cooled-stored condition. It is, however, unclear how this antioxidant affects sperm to improve survival during freezing or cooled-stored condition. Thus, this review highlights the 
								potential protective mechanisms of coenzyme Q10 action during the sperm freezing process. Keywords: coenzyme Q10; cryopreservation; cooled-stored; mechanism; spermatozoa Download the paper: POSSIBLE PROTECTIVE MECHANISMS OF COENZYME Q10 ACTION ON SPERMATOZOA DURING CRYOPRESERVATION OR COOLED-STORED CONDITION (PDF)
							       Top of page CryoLetters 41 (5), 257-266 (2020)© CryoLetters, businessoffice@cryoletters.org
 INCUBATION WITH CHOLESTEROL LOADED CYCLODEXTRIN AND SUBSEQUENT DILUTION IN PARTIALLY DEOXYGENATED EXTENDER IMPROVES THE FREEZABILITY OF CROSSBRED BULL SPERM Rahul Katiyar*, Subrata kumar Ghosh, Jai Kishan Prasad, Abhishek Kumar, Lhendup Bhutia, Vinod Gupta and Rupali Rautela
 Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly 243122, Uttar Pradesh, India.*Corresponding author E-mail: rahul.katiyarvet@gmail.com
 Abstract BACKGROUND: The cryopreservation process induces osmotic stress, membrane changes and production of reactive oxygen species resulting in damage to the spermatozoa. Together, 
								the presence of oxygen in the extender aggravates the oxidative stress that further reduces the cryosurvival rate of sperm cells. OBJECTIVE: To study the combined effect of 
								cholesterol loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) and partial deoxygenation on post-thaw semen quality in crossbred bulls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 ejaculates from three 
								crossbred bulls with ≥3+ mass motility and ≥70% individual progressive motility were utilized for the study. Each semen sample was divided into four groups: Group I (containing extender 
								without partial deoxygenation or CLC addition); Group II (extender containing 3 mg CLC/120X106 spermatozoa); Group III (extender containing 3 mg CLC/120X106 spermatozoa 
								and 4 ppm dissolved oxygen (DO) level); Group IV (extender containing 3 mg CLC/120X106 spermatozoa and 6 ppm DO level). The samples in each group were finally extended to have 80×106 progressive motile sperm/mL of extender, filled and sealed in French mini straws (0.25 
								mL) and frozen following equilibration. The effect of CLC addition and partial deoxygenation was assessed at fresh (post-dilution), pre-freeze and post-thaw stages by evaluating various 
								variables [sperm motility, viability, hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) response, acrosomal integrity, capacitation status and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP)]. RESULTS: The 
								sperm population was significantly more positive for motility, viability, HOS response, acrosome intactness, high MMP and had less capacitation-like changes in groups 
								supplemented with CLC and partially deoxygenation. However, the positive effect was most pronounced in the group in extender with CLC+4 ppm DO. CONCLUSION: Partial 
								deoxygenation of extender, and CLC addition in combination, could be part of a rationale for improving post-thaw semen quality in cross-bred bulls. Keywords: cyclodextrin, dissolved oxygen, oxidative stress, bulls.       Top of page CryoLetters 41 (5), 267-271 (2020)© CryoLetters, businessoffice@cryoletters.org
 THE POTENTIAL OF CRYOTHERAPY TO REMOVE SUGARCANE MOSAIC VIRUS FROM SUGARCANE (Saccharum spp. HYBRIDS) SHOOT TIPS M.T. González-Arnao1, M. Banasiak2, S.J. Snyman2,3* and Sershen4 1Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.2South African Sugarcane Research Institute, Private Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa.
 3University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South 
								Africa.
 4Department for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa.
 *Corresponding author E-mail: sandy.snyman@sugar.org.za
 Abstract BACKGROUND: Virus-free sugarcane is difficult to achieve due to the multiple vegetative propagation cycles employed commercially. In vitro culture using small (1 mm) meristematic 
								shoot tips has eliminated viruses but survival is low with small explants. OBJECTIVE: Droplet- Vitrification (D-V) and V-Cryoplate protocols were investigated for the elimination of Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) from large (c. 3 mm) in vitro-derived shoot tips. 
								MATERIALS AND METHODS: Shoot tips excised from NCo376 and N19 cultivars were exposed to both cryogenic procedures. Virus indexing by RT-qPCR was performed 16 weeks 
								after recovery. RESULTS: Explants exposed to cryo-treatments that recovered and multiplied was 30-92%, while at least 90% of control explants regenerated. No virus was detected in 
								multiplied shoots from either cultivar after D-V and liquid nitrogen immersion. In NCo376, virus was eliminated after D-V without cooling. CONCLUSION: The preliminary findings 
								suggest that cryotherapy and/or osmotherapy are viable options for SCMV removal from infected plants. Keywords: cryopreservation, osmotherapy, qRT-PCR detection, shoot tip size.       Top of page CryoLetters 41 (5), 272-280 (2020)© CryoLetters, businessoffice@cryoletters.org
 CRYOPRESERVATION OF COLLARED PECCARY (Pecari tajacu LINNAEUS, 1758) SOMATIC CELLS IS IMPROVED BY SUCROSE AND HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF FETAL BOVINE SERUM Gabriela Pereira de Oliveira Lira1, Alana Azevedo Borges1, Matheus Barbosa do Nascimento1,
 Leonardo Vitorino Costa de Aquino1, Moacir Franco de Oliveira2,
 Alexandre Rodrigues Silva3 and Alexsandra Fernandes Pereira1*
 1Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid (UFERSA), Mossoro, RN, Brazil.2Laboratory of Applied Animal Morphophysiology, UFERSA, Mossoro, RN, Brazil.
 3Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, UFERSA, Mossoro, RN, Brazil
 *Corresponding author E-mail: alexsandra.pereira@ufersa.edu.br
 Abstract BACKGROUND: The formation of somatic cell banks is affected by, amongst other factors, the cryoprotectant solution used. The selection of an effective solution, therefore, is a primary parameter. 
								OBJECTIVE: We optimized the cryoprotectant used for collared peccary somatic cell cryopreservation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We categorized cells into different 
								groups based on their cryopreservation and evaluated the morphology, viability, proliferative activity, metabolism, and oxidative stress. One group was cryopreserved in 10% DMSO with 
								10% fetal bovine serum (DMSO-10FBS), and another with 50% FBS (DMSO-50FBS). The cryopreservation of both groups included the presence of 0.2 M sucrose (DMSO-SUC-10FBS 
								and DMSO-SUC-50FBS). Non-cryopreserved cells and cells cryopreserved with 10% DMSO (DMSO) supplemented with 0.2 M sucrose (DMSO-SUC) were used as controls. RESULTS: 
								There was no difference observed in morphology or viability among the groups. Proliferative activity was reduced in DMSO-10FBS when compared to controls. Although 
								cryopreservation reduced metabolism, no difference was observed among solutions. A lower level of reactive oxygen species was observed in cells of DMSO-SUC-50FBS when compared 
								to other cryoprotectants. Only cells of DMSO-SUC-50FBS had mitochondrial potential similar to non- cryopreserved cells. CONCLUSION: 10% DMSO supplemented with 50% FBS and 
								0.2 M SUC was observed to be the most efficient cryoprotectant for preserving collared peccary somatic cells. Keywords: Peccaries, extracellular cryoprotectants, slow freezing, cryobanking.       Top of page CryoLetters 41 (5), 281-290 (2020)© CryoLetters, businessoffice@cryoletters.org
 STORAGE BEHAVIOR AND CRYOPRESERVATION OF Citrus cavaleriei, AN ENDANGERED, COLD-RESISTANT SPECIES OF NORTHEAST INDIA WITH EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE SEEDS S. K. Malik1*, Ravish Choudhary2, Sukhdeep Kaur1, Rekha Chaudhury1 and Hugh W. Pritchard3 1Tissue Culture and Cryopreservation Unit, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi-110012, India2Division of Seed Science and Technology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New 
								Delhi-110012
 3Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TN, UK
 *Corresponding author E-mail: skm1909@gmail.com
 Abstract BACKGROUND: Ichang Papeda (Citrus cavaleriei H.Lév. ex Cavalerie) is a wild and endangered species of NE India that requires urgent preservation of its genetic resources. OBJECTIVE:
								 To characterize the storage physiology of the seeds and to cryopreserve the embryo and embryonic axis (EA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The morphology and 
								storage physiology of the seeds were determined, and the cryopreservation of embryos and EA attempted using various techniques (viz., air desiccation-freezing, vitrification and encapsulation-dehydration). RESULTS: 
								Weighing up to 4 g, seeds of Citrus cavaleriei are the largest known in the genus. Based on estimates using the seed coat ratio - seed mass (SCR- SM) model there was a very high probability of seed desiccation intolerance, which was 
								validated physiologically; seeds lost vigour on drying below 30% moisture content (MC) and no seeds germinating after drying to <12 % MC. Embryos and EAs could be air dried to 25- 
								30% MC and cryopreserved with c. 50% survival. In contrast, EA optimally exposed to PVS2 (20 min) or encapsulated, sucrose pretreated (0.5 M, 24 h) and dehydrated (6 h) had c. 40% survival after cryopreservation. CONCLUSION: Citrus cavaleriei produces large, recalcitrant 
								seeds that can, nevertheless, be cryopreserved as embryos or isolated EA after air drying to c. 25-30% MC; encapsulation-dehydration and vitrification provide alternative options for the cryopreservation of EA. Keywords: seed coat ratio-seed mass (SCR-SM) model, recalcitrant seed, crop wild relative.       Top of page CryoLetters 41 (5), 291-296 (2020)© CryoLetters, businessoffice@cryoletters.org
 DETECTION OF THE METASTABLE ICE PHASE DURING WATER CRYSTALLIZATION Kosuke Kondo1, Kenji Hara2, Osaka Keiichi3, Shuji Abe1 and Kazuhito Kajiwara1*
 1Graduate School of Bionics, Computer and Media Science, Bionics Program, Tokyo University of Technology, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan.2Graduate School of Engineering, Sustainable Engineering Program, Tokyo University of 
								Technology, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan.
 3Industrial Application Division, Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI), Mikazuki-cho, Sayou-gun, Hyogo, Japan.
 * Corresponding author E-mail: kajiwara@stf.teu.ac.jp
 Abstract BACKGROUND: Under atmospheric pressure, the identifiable phases of ice crystals are hexagonal (stable) and cubic (metastable). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test the 
								hypothesis that water crystallizes into the cubic phase at the beginning and then changes to the hexagonal phase. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous solutions of 40% (w/w) and 
								50% (w/w) glucose, and 40% (w/w) ammonium hydrogen sulfate, as well as emulsified water, were investigated. RESULTS: The cubic-to-hexagonal ice phase transition was detected in 
								40% (w/w) glucose solution within a 1 s integration interval, whereas the cubic ice formed in 50% (w/w) glucose solution did not transition to the hexagonal phase. The cubic phase was 
								also confirmed in the 40% (w/w) ammonium hydrogen sulfate solution, but not in emulsified water. CONCLUSION: The cubic-to-hexagonal ice phase transition was detected in three 
								aqueous solutions tested upon freezing. It was not possible to clearly capture the transition process in emulsified water under the study condition. Keywords: water crystallization, cubic ice, hexagonal ice, cubic to hexagonal phase transition.       Top of page CryoLetters 41 (5), 297-302 (2020)© CryoLetters, businessoffice@cryoletters.org
 OXIDATIVE STRESS-INDUCED CHANGES IN FERTILITY STATUS OF CRYOPRESERVED SPERM: A DIAGNOSIS BASED ON SPERM CHROMATIN DISPERSION ASSAY Archana Kumar and T.B. Sridharan* Department of Biotechnology, School of BioSciences and Technology, VIT, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India*Corresponding author E-mail: tbsridharan@vit.ac.in; archanatnau@gmail.com
 Abstract BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation introduces iatrogenic damage to sperm cells due to excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can damage sperm macromolecules 
								and alter the physiochemical properties of sperm cells. These altered properties can affect the biological potential of sperm cell towards fertility. OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to 
								assess the role of oxidative stress in sperm DNA damage upon cryopreservation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen samples (160) were classified into fertile and infertile 
								on the basis of Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA), and cryopreserved. Thawed samples were analyzed for 8OHdG marker, sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD)-based DNA 
								fragmentation index (SCD-DFI) and ROS levels. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) was performed to find the specificity and sensitivity of SCD-DFI in assessing the sperm DNA 
								integrity. Principle component analysis (PCA) was performed to group semen parameters. RESULTS: SCD-DFI significantly correlates with 8OHdG in infertile samples (r=0.73, 
								p<0.0001) and moderately in fertile samples (r=0.52, p<0.001). Among SCD-DFI, ROS and 8OHdG values, SCD-DFI possess a higher area under the curve (0.83) in ROC, suggesting its 
								potential in representing sperm DNA damage. PCA analysis extracted SCD-DFI and sperm progressive motility as two independent parameters, differentiating fertile and infertile cryopreserved semen. CONCLUSION: The
								 study proves that SCD can potentially represent ROS-induced sperm DNA damage in infertile semen upon cryopreservation. Keywords: cryopreservation, male infertility, receiver operating characteristics, sperm DNA damage.       Top of page CryoLetters 41 (5), 303-307 (2020)© CryoLetters, businessoffice@cryoletters.org
 A MICROFLUIDIC APPROACH FOR CRYOPROTECTANT SCREENING: PRELIMINARY VALIDATION WITH HUMAN RED BLOOD CELLS Qianqian Hu1, Lingxiao Shen1, Xiaojie Guo2, Xiaoyu Hu2, Zhifeng Liu3* and Gang Zhao1*
 1Department of Electronic Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, P.R. China.2Hefei Blood Center, Hefei, P.R. China.
 3Department of Thermal Sciences and Energy Engineering, University of Science and 
								Technology of China, Hefei, P.R. China.
 *Corresponding author E-mail: zhaog@ustc.edu.cn(GZ); lzf123@ustc.edu.cn(ZL).
 Abstract BACKGROUND: The application of microfluidics has overcome a series of long-term existing bottlenecks in the field of cryobiology. However, there is still no investigation regarding the 
								on- chip rapid screening of cryoprotectant concentration optimization for the integration of the entire freeze, thaw and cell counting process. OBJECTIVE: To establish an on-chip 
								approach for rapid cryoprotectant screening and concentration optimization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rapid freezing of red blood cells with glycerol and dimethyl sulfoxide was used to validate the proposed on-chip method. RESULTS: 
								The optimal cryoprotectant and its concentration can be determined with the described method, without the need of additional samplings and assays. The optimal concentration for glycerol and dimethyl sulfoxide used in 
								the validation experiments was 10% (w/v). CONCLUSION: The microfluidic approach can be used for rapid cryoprotectant screening and concentration optimization. Keywords: microfluidics; cryopreservation; cryoprotectant screening. |