Cryopreservation of human testicular tissue by isopropyl-controlled slow freezing

Abstract

Tissue cryopreservation uses very low temperatures to preserve structurally intact living cells in their natural microenvironment. Cell survival is strongly influenced by the biophysical effects of ice during both the freezing and the subsequent thawing. These effects can be controlled by optimizing the fragment size, type of cryoprotectant, and cooling rate. The challenge is to determine cryopreservation parameters that suit all cell types present in the tissue. Here we describe a quick and convenient protocol for the cryopreservation of testicular tissue using an isopropyl-insulated freezing device, which was validated in both a mouse and a human model.