Abstract
The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the effect of vapor freezing on apoptosis of human spermatozoa in infertile and fertile men. Semen samples were collected from infertile (n=25) and fertile (n=10) men after 48h abstinence of intercourse. After standard semen analysis, each semen sample was divided into two aliquots. First aliquot was assessed by TUNEL assay for showing apoptosis before vapor freezing and second aliquot was assessed after thawing. Results were analyzed by Wilcoxon matched pairs test. Mean percentage of apoptotic cells significantly increased in both infertile and fertile men. Apoptotic cells were lower in fertile men than infertile men. DNA fragmentation occurs at head and mid piece of the spermatozoa after freezing and thawing. Therefore freezing and thawing induced fragmentation of DNA spermatozoa and reduced fertility potential of spermatozoa in ART procedures.