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

8 settembre 2026 aggiornato da: 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.

Panoramica dello studio

Stato

Reclutamento

Condizioni

Descrizione dettagliata

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.

Tipo di studio

Osservativo

Iscrizione (Stimato)

45

Contatti e Sedi

Questa sezione fornisce i recapiti di coloro che conducono lo studio e informazioni su dove viene condotto lo studio.

Luoghi di studio

Criteri di partecipazione

I ricercatori cercano persone che corrispondano a una certa descrizione, chiamata criteri di ammissibilità. Alcuni esempi di questi criteri sono le condizioni generali di salute di una persona o trattamenti precedenti.

Criteri di ammissibilità

Età idonea allo studio

  • Adulto
  • Adulto più anziano

Accetta volontari sani

Sì

Metodo di campionamento

Campione non probabilistico

Popolazione di studio

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.

Descrizione

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

Piano di studio

Questa sezione fornisce i dettagli del piano di studio, compreso il modo in cui lo studio è progettato e ciò che lo studio sta misurando.

Come è strutturato lo studio?

Dettagli di progettazione

Coorti e interventi

Gruppo / Coorte
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.

Cosa sta misurando lo studio?

Misure di risultato primarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Sperm DNA methylation profile
Lasso di tempo: 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).

Misure di risultato secondarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Sperm concentration
Lasso di tempo: 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
Lasso di tempo: 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
Lasso di tempo: 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
Lasso di tempo: 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
Lasso di tempo: 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
Lasso di tempo: 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
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (study semen collection visit).
Characterization of seminal plasma extracellular vesicle composition in fresh semen samples.
Baseline (study semen collection visit).

Altre misure di risultato

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Blood leukocyte telomere length
Lasso di tempo: 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).

Collaboratori e investigatori

Qui è dove troverai le persone e le organizzazioni coinvolte in questo studio.

Sponsor

Collaboratori

Pubblicazioni e link utili

La persona responsabile dell'inserimento delle informazioni sullo studio fornisce volontariamente queste pubblicazioni. Questi possono riguardare qualsiasi cosa relativa allo studio.

Pubblicazioni generali

Studiare le date dei record

Queste date tengono traccia dell'avanzamento della registrazione dello studio e dell'invio dei risultati di sintesi a ClinicalTrials.gov. I record degli studi e i risultati riportati vengono esaminati dalla National Library of Medicine (NLM) per assicurarsi che soddisfino specifici standard di controllo della qualità prima di essere pubblicati sul sito Web pubblico.

Studia le date principali

Inizio studio (Effettivo)

10 giugno 2026

Completamento primario (Stimato)

31 marzo 2027

Completamento dello studio (Stimato)

30 settembre 2027

Date di iscrizione allo studio

Primo inviato

29 giugno 2026

Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità

8 settembre 2026

Primo Inserito (Effettivo)

10 settembre 2026

Aggiornamenti dei record di studio

Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)

10 settembre 2026

Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC

8 settembre 2026

Ultimo verificato

1 settembre 2026

Maggiori informazioni

Termini relativi a questo studio

Termini MeSH pertinenti aggiuntivi

Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio

  • 2303-MUR-046-JM
  • 101120126 (Altro numero di sovvenzione/finanziamento: European Union Horizon Europe Programme - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network AFRODITA)

Piano per i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)

Hai intenzione di condividere i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)?

INDECISO

Informazioni su farmaci e dispositivi, documenti di studio

Studia un prodotto farmaceutico regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Studia un dispositivo regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Queste informazioni sono state recuperate direttamente dal sito web clinicaltrials.gov senza alcuna modifica. In caso di richieste di modifica, rimozione o aggiornamento dei dettagli dello studio, contattare register@clinicaltrials.gov. Non appena verrà implementata una modifica su clinicaltrials.gov, questa verrà aggiornata automaticamente anche sul nostro sito web .