ArticleInternational journal of fertility & sterility2026
Nano-Winter Is Coming for Sperm Cryopreservation: Advanced Approaches for Life in Ice: A Review.
Article in International journal of fertility & sterility, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Cryopreservation (CP) can negatively impact sperm quality, but recent studies have shown promising results using nanoparticles (NPs) as cryoprotectants. This review examines the potential of various NP types, including metallic, magnetic, polymeric, and lipid-based, in improving post-thaw sperm characteristics across different species, not only humans. The unique surface properties of NPs and their ability to inhibit ice formation are believed to mitigate freezing and thawing damage. A comprehensive literature review of over 40 recent studies revealed that multiple NP types, such as curcumin, cerium oxide, gold, silver, zinc oxide (ZnO), and soy lecithin, demonstrated cryoprotective properties. These NPs generally enhanced post-thaw sperm quality metrics, including motility, viability, chromatin integrity, mitochondrial activity, acrosome reaction, and antioxidant status. Proposed mechanisms of action include reducing freezing damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. However, some studies also revealed potential toxicity with long-term exposure. While NPs offer a promising platform for optimizing sperm CP protocols in assisted reproductive technology (ART) and reproductive management, further research is needed. Key areas for investigation include standardizing methodologies, understanding biological interactions, reducing cytotoxicity, and extending preservation strategies to diverse species. The development of cost-effective formulations applicable to all human ejaculates, along with a thorough investigation of bio-interactions, toxicity, and reproductive impacts, is crucial for advancing this field. Rational NP design and comprehensive assessments could lead to safer and more effective fertility preservation techniques, but optimization is still required to realize the potential of NPs in sperm CP fully.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.