Effect of freeze-thawing procedure on chromatin and morphology of spermatozoa from patients with testicular cancer

The aim of this study was initiated to determine the cryodamde of DNA, morphology and membrane integrity of testicular cancer patients and to find out whether spermatozoa of these patients is more susuptible for cyodamade than normal (donor) spermatozoa. Human ejaculated spermatozoa were obtained from 15 testicular cancer patients (G. 1) and 15 men with proven fertility (ControllG.2). After semen assessment according to WHO criteria. Each semen sample was mixed with human sperm preservation medium HSPM (1:1) and frozen with computerized freezer. Many smear was made before and after semen freezing to evaluate the damaged DNA (Acridine orange test) and morphology (WHO-criteria). In the first group, the mean percentage of green (native DNA) and morphologically normal spermatzoa pre freeze decreased significantly after freeze-thawing procedure from (98. 3+/- 2.1%, 57.1+/-10.3%) to (90.1+/-2.8 and 46.3+/-5.4%; p= 0.012 and p=0.001 respectively) and the corresponding value in the donor group (G.2) from (98.4+/- 1.5%; 69.3+/-5.7%) to (92+/-1.5%; 60.5+/-4.9%; p=0.002 and p=0.003 respectively). However, DNA damage in the testicular cancer patients was higher, but not significant (p=0.820) in comparison to the DNA damage of donor patients. Whereas, the morphological detrioration in the testicular cancer patient was significantly higher than those in donor group (p= 0.002). Therefore, cryopreservation of spermatozoa from testicular cancer patients should be recommended before chemo,surgical therapy or radiation in order to preserve their chance for paternity.