Cryopreservation effect on genetic function: Neonatal outcomes

Abstract

Cryopreservation is a well-established technique commonly used in clinical practice. It is used widely for the conservation of gametes and embryos that will be used later for insemination or in vitro fertilization. However, several studies have shown that this technique can produce changes in messenger RNA levels, in the epigenome and induce DNA damage. Although the embryo has potent mechanisms for DNA repair, and molecular changes in spermatozoa are not necessarily reflected in the embryo, it is important to explore new molecular tests and diagnostic tools to design optimal cryopreservation protocols and avoid undesirable molecular alterations. This chapter describes a protocol to quantify the lesions produced by cryopreservation using a protocol previously published by Rothfuss.