Motility Characteristics of Human Sperm, Nonfrozen and Cryopreserved

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Abstract
Ejaculates (1651) obtained by masturbation from 88 donors were evaluated for count, motility and kinetics. After the initial evaluation the ejaculates were frozen in liquid nitrogen, thawed 24 h later, and assessed for postthaw motility and kinetics. The ejaculates were then divided into 17 groups according to sperm count and evaluated to determine if direct relationships exist between prefreeze and thawed semen characteristics. The average sperm count was 151 .times. 106 sperm/ml. The freezing process resulted in a reduction of motility from a mean of 85% to a mean of 52%. Postthaw motility increased with sperm count up to 120 .times. 106 sperm/ml where there appeared to be no further effect. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a high correlation between prefreeze motility and postthaw motility (r [correlation coefficient] = 0.947). Cryopreservation of human spermatozoa results in a significant reduction of motility. A direct relationship exists between prefreeze and postthaw motility and prefreeze motility may be an important factor in evaluating the potential of an ejaculate to withstand cryopreservation.