Trehalose exerts cryoprotective effects on piglet testicular tissue

The preservation of testicular tissue for male fertility purposes is vital; however, cryopreservation often leads to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and reduced testosterone production. Researchers sought to determine the protective impact of trehalose, a natural cryoprotectant, on porcine testicular tissue during a slow-freezing process.

Piglets aged 18-21 days were subjected to cryopreservation using a modified standard solution containing 200 mmol/L trehalose. The study measured testosterone synthesis, blood testis barrier, spermatogenesis, cell viability, tissue morphology, reactive oxygen species levels, apoptosis rates, and testosterone secretion post-thaw.

Trehalose treatment resulted in improved cell survival, decreased apoptosis and ROS levels, and increased testosterone secretion. Furthermore, trehalose increased the expression of genes involved in testosterone synthesis (StAR, CYP11A1) and protected tight junction proteins (Claudin-11, ZO-1) and gap junction protein (Cx43). It also enhanced the expression of key spermatogenic regulators (DDX25, HMGB2, DYP19L2, AKAP4, CFAP44) and restored the transcription of genes involved in the mitochondrial electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation pathways.

These findings suggest that trehalose primarily protects piglet testicular tissue during cryopreservation by enhancing mitochondrial function, offering a molecular explanation for optimizing cryopreservation techniques.