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Human Sperm Cryopreservation as an Alternative to the Decline of Sperm Quality With Aging

8. september 2026 opdateret af: IVI Murcia
This observational study will evaluate whether sperm cryopreservation can help preserve sperm quality and molecular characteristics that may be affected by increasing paternal age. Men aged 18 years and older will provide a semen sample and a blood sample for laboratory analysis. Each semen sample will be divided into fresh, slow-frozen, and vitrified aliquots. The study will compare sperm quality (as assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis), DNA methylation profiles, DNA fragmentation, sperm telomere length before and after cryopreservation. The effects of age on these parameters will also be assessed. The impact of age on seminal plasma extracellular vesicle composition and blood cell telomere length will also be analysed. The goal is to determine whether sperm cryopreservation may represent a strategy for preserving sperm characteristics associated with younger paternal age.

Studieoversigt

Status

Rekruttering

Betingelser

Detaljeret beskrivelse

The aging process is associated with declining fertility and increased risks of adverse reproductive and offspring health outcomes. Although the effects of maternal age have been extensively studied, the impact of paternal aging on sperm quality, reproductive outcomes, and molecular characteristics of sperm remains incompletely understood.

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate whether sperm cryopreservation may serve as an alternative to the use of sperm collected at older ages in assisted reproduction treatments. The primary endpoint is the difference in sperm DNA methylation patterns between fresh ejaculated samples and samples subjected to cryopreservation. Cryopreservation will be considered a potentially valid strategy if DNA methylation patterns remain substantially preserved following the cryopreservation process.

At least 45 male participants will be recruited and grouped according to age. Participants will provide one semen sample and a peripheral blood sample. Following routine semen analysis, each semen sample will be divided into three aliquots: fresh, slow-frozen, and vitrified. Cryopreserved aliquots will be stored in liquid nitrogen and subsequently thawed or warmed for analysis.

Standard semen parameters, including volume, concentration, motility, sperm kinetics, and morphology, will be evaluated. Additional analyses will include sperm DNA methylation, DNA fragmentation, telomere length, and characterization of extracellular vesicles and their composition. Identical assessments will be performed on fresh and cryopreserved samples to compare the effects of slow freezing and vitrification.

Secondary objectives include evaluating age-related differences in semen quality and molecular biomarkers, identifying markers associated with biological gamete age, characterizing age-related differences in seminal extracellular vesicles, and exploring associations between sperm molecular characteristics and lifestyle. Participants will also complete validated questionnaires regarding lifestyle and dietary habits.

Undersøgelsestype

Observationel

Tilmelding (Anslået)

45

Kontakter og lokationer

Dette afsnit indeholder kontaktoplysninger for dem, der udfører undersøgelsen, og oplysninger om, hvor denne undersøgelse udføres.

Studiesteder

Deltagelseskriterier

Forskere leder efter personer, der passer til en bestemt beskrivelse, kaldet berettigelseskriterier. Nogle eksempler på disse kriterier er en persons generelle helbredstilstand eller tidligere behandlinger.

Berettigelseskriterier

Aldre berettiget til at studere

  • Voksen
  • Ældre voksen

Tager imod sunde frivillige

Ja

Prøveudtagningsmetode

Ikke-sandsynlighedsprøve

Studiebefolkning

Adult men aged 18-65 years attending IVI Murcia for semen analysis, fertility assessment, semen donation, or assisted reproduction treatment who meet the study eligibility criteria and provide informed consent. Participants will provide semen and blood samples for laboratory assessment of sperm quality and molecular characteristics before and after cryopreservation.

Beskrivelse

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male participants aged 18 to 65 years
  • Attending IVI Murcia for semen analysis and/or assisted reproduction treatment
  • Able and willing to provide written informed consent
  • Willing to provide a semen sample and a blood sample for research purposes

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Previous diagnosis of azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia (sperm concentration <1 million sperm/mL)
  • Known chromosomal abnormality (abnormal karyotype)
  • Known Y chromosome microdeletion
  • Febrile illness within the previous 3 months
  • Presence of varicocele
  • Current use of vitamin or antioxidant supplements intended to improve semen quality

Studieplan

Dette afsnit indeholder detaljer om studieplanen, herunder hvordan undersøgelsen er designet, og hvad undersøgelsen måler.

Hvordan er undersøgelsen tilrettelagt?

Design detaljer

Kohorter og interventioner

Gruppe / kohorte
Men aged 18-39 years
Male participants aged 18-39 years who provide semen and blood samples for laboratory assessment of sperm quality and molecular characteristics. Semen samples are divided into fresh, slow-frozen, and vitrified aliquots for comparative analysis.
Men aged 40-49 years
Male participants aged 40-49 years who provide semen and blood samples for laboratory assessment of sperm quality and molecular characteristics. Semen samples are divided into fresh, slow-frozen, and vitrified aliquots for comparative analysis.
Men aged ≥50 years
Male participants aged 50 years and older who provide semen and blood samples for laboratory assessment of sperm quality and molecular characteristics. Semen samples are divided into fresh, slow-frozen, and vitrified aliquots for comparative analysis.

Hvad måler undersøgelsen?

Primære resultatmål

Resultatmål
Foranstaltningsbeskrivelse
Tidsramme
Sperm DNA methylation profile
Tidsramme: Baseline (study semen collection visit) and after thawing of cryopreserved semen samples, through study completion (up to 9 months).
DNA methylation levels of a predefined nine-gene panel measured by pyrosequencing with duplicate measurements and compared between fresh, slow-frozen, and vitrified sperm samples.
Baseline (study semen collection visit) and after thawing of cryopreserved semen samples, through study completion (up to 9 months).

Sekundære resultatmål

Resultatmål
Foranstaltningsbeskrivelse
Tidsramme
Sperm concentration
Tidsramme: Baseline (study semen collection visit) and after thawing of cryopreserved semen samples, through study completion (up to 9 months).
Sperm concentration (million sperm/mL) measured using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA).
Baseline (study semen collection visit) and after thawing of cryopreserved semen samples, through study completion (up to 9 months).
Total sperm motility
Tidsramme: Baseline (study semen collection visit) and after thawing of cryopreserved semen samples, through study completion (up to 9 months).
Percentage of motile sperm measured using CASA.
Baseline (study semen collection visit) and after thawing of cryopreserved semen samples, through study completion (up to 9 months).
Progressive sperm motility
Tidsramme: Baseline (study semen collection visit) and after thawing of cryopreserved semen samples, through study completion (up to 9 months).
Percentage of progressively motile sperm measured using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA).
Baseline (study semen collection visit) and after thawing of cryopreserved semen samples, through study completion (up to 9 months).
Normal sperm morphology
Tidsramme: Baseline (study semen collection visit) and after thawing of cryopreserved semen samples, through study completion (up to 9 months).
Percentage of sperm with normal morphology assessed by microscopic evaluation of stained slides according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.
Baseline (study semen collection visit) and after thawing of cryopreserved semen samples, through study completion (up to 9 months).
Sperm DNA fragmentation
Tidsramme: Baseline (study semen collection visit) and after thawing of cryopreserved semen samples, through study completion (up to 9 months).
DNA fragmentation measured in fresh, slow-frozen, and vitrified sperm samples.
Baseline (study semen collection visit) and after thawing of cryopreserved semen samples, through study completion (up to 9 months).
Sperm telomere length
Tidsramme: Baseline (study semen collection visit) and after thawing of cryopreserved semen samples, through study completion (up to 9 months).
Sperm telomere length measured in fresh, slow-frozen, and vitrified sperm samples.
Baseline (study semen collection visit) and after thawing of cryopreserved semen samples, through study completion (up to 9 months).
Seminal plasma extracellular vesicle composition
Tidsramme: Baseline (study semen collection visit).
Characterization of seminal plasma extracellular vesicle composition in fresh semen samples.
Baseline (study semen collection visit).

Andre resultatmål

Resultatmål
Foranstaltningsbeskrivelse
Tidsramme
Blood leukocyte telomere length
Tidsramme: Baseline (study blood collection visit).
Blood cell telomere length measured to investigate its relationship with participant age and sperm molecular characteristics.
Baseline (study blood collection visit).

Samarbejdspartnere og efterforskere

Det er her, du vil finde personer og organisationer, der er involveret i denne undersøgelse.

Sponsor

Samarbejdspartnere

Publikationer og nyttige links

Den person, der er ansvarlig for at indtaste oplysninger om undersøgelsen, leverer frivilligt disse publikationer. Disse kan handle om alt relateret til undersøgelsen.

Generelle publikationer

Datoer for undersøgelser

Disse datoer sporer fremskridtene for indsendelser af undersøgelsesrekord og resumeresultater til ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieregistreringer og rapporterede resultater gennemgås af National Library of Medicine (NLM) for at sikre, at de opfylder specifikke kvalitetskontrolstandarder, før de offentliggøres på den offentlige hjemmeside.

Studer store datoer

Studiestart (Faktiske)

10. juni 2026

Primær færdiggørelse (Anslået)

31. marts 2027

Studieafslutning (Anslået)

30. september 2027

Datoer for studieregistrering

Først indsendt

29. juni 2026

Først indsendt, der opfyldte QC-kriterier

8. september 2026

Først opslået (Faktiske)

10. september 2026

Opdateringer af undersøgelsesjournaler

Sidste opdatering sendt (Faktiske)

10. september 2026

Sidste opdatering indsendt, der opfyldte kvalitetskontrolkriterier

8. september 2026

Sidst verificeret

1. september 2026

Mere information

Begreber relateret til denne undersøgelse

Yderligere relevante MeSH-vilkår

Andre undersøgelses-id-numre

  • 2303-MUR-046-JM
  • 101120126 (Andet bevillings-/finansieringsnummer: European Union Horizon Europe Programme - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network AFRODITA)

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