Cryopreservation

History

2024

For the first time, it was possible to defrost without damage the human brain, frozen 1.5 years ago

In mid-May 2024, Chinese researchers at Fudan University in Shanghai announced the development of a new technology that allows freezing human brain tissue, followed by thawing without damage. The achievement opens up new possibilities for studying the brain and nervous system.

Previous research has shown that no matter how quickly the medulla freezes, the thawing process always leads to tissue degradation. This is due to damage to cells by tiny particles of ice. Specialists from the PRC were able to solve the problem by using a special mixture of MEDY, which allows to preserve the integrity of brain cells during thawing.

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The work involved immersing or soaking brain organoids (brain tissues grown from stem cells) in various compounds. After that, the material was frozen, and after a certain time it was thawed. Next, the researchers examined the samples for damage. After many attempts, experts have determined the best version of the composition for cryopreservation. It turned out to be the mentioned mixture of MEDY, consisting of ethylene glycol, methylcellulose, dimethyl sulfoxide and Y27632, an inhibitor of Rho kinase, widely used as a biochemical tool for studying cellular signaling pathways and serving as an experimental anti-aging drug.

Specialists tested MEDY under various conditions, including changing the age of the frozen samples. It turned out that the organoids treated with MEDY, after cryopreservation and subsequent thawing, practically do not differ from samples that were not frozen. Moreover, scientists for the first time managed to thaw organoids without damage after a year and a half of storage.^[1]

In the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug will create a sperm bank for childless fighters of the special operation

On March 21, 2024, it became known that a DNA bank and semen of special operation fighters who were called up for service and have no children would be created in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug (Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra). It is assumed that this initiative will help in the continuation of the kind of soldiers.

Natalya Strebkova, Commissioner for Human Rights in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, spoke about the project. According to her, the initiative has already been formalized, the regional ombudsman's office is preparing it for launch at federal sites. The Ombudsman called on to support the project of deputies of the District Duma.

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We initiate the issue of forming a bank not only DNA, but also semen of military personnel called up for military service and without children. I believe that this is very important for the continuation of the kind of military personnel, - says Strebkova.

The project was supported by the president of the Surgut Center for the Protection of Motherhood and Childhood and the deputy of the Duma of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug Larisa Belotserkovtseva. She noted that the program in the region is being implemented by the Center for Assisted Reproductive Technologies and the Medical Institute of Surgut State University. Belotserkovtseva stressed that the initiative will help in preserving "the biomaterial of young men, young boys who are in the zone of a special military operation." At the same time, there is a question of financing the project.

The problem is how the program will be funded. Today it is at the expense of citizens. Your initiative, it is very important so that we can preserve the biological material of those young people who go to SVO, "Belotserkovtseva notes.

The resource "Gazeta.Ru" reports that earlier in several Russian regions also voiced proposals to create a sperm bank for Russian fighters. In addition, the issue was raised at the federal level. Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Ugra will be the first regions of the Russian Federation where the idea is implemented in practice.^[2]

2022: Demand for sperm freeze soars in Russian clinics

Russia In, the demand for freezing has sharply increased. sperms According to the publication "Big City" in early October 2023 with reference to the capital's private clinics, people began to apply three times more often for the service of cryopreservation of reproductive biomaterial. Experts associate the situation with mobilization.

If earlier this procedure was of interest to citizens preparing, for example, for radiation or chemotherapy against the background of cancer, now men who fell under partial mobilization or intended to leave Russia against its background began to resort to it.

The demand for sperm freezing in the Russian Federation has grown

The freeze itself costs about 10 thousand rubles, the same amount will have to be spent on consultation, analyzes and payment for the storage of biomaterial. Avtandil Chogovadze, head of the Reprobank reproductive cell bank, said that earlier there were about 20 people wishing to freeze sperm per month. By the beginning of October 2022, the flow of customers had noticeably increased: more than ten people turn to the day.

{{quote 'Young people understand that the risks are very large - health can be significantly harmed, and when they return, becoming fathers will not work. The risk is high: at least stress, life in uncomfortable conditions, traumatic injuries. There is also a risk that a person may not return, says Avtandil Chogovadze. }} Igor Vinogradov, professor of the Department of Urology at RUDN University and chief physician of SPC of reproduction, noted that the previous surge in appeals was after the first wave of the coronavirus COVID-19: then there were reports that the quality of sperm was deteriorating in those who had recovered, and people who had not yet been sick began to apply for a service.

UMMC-Health also confirmed to the publication that by early October 2022, couples who plan IVF (in vitro fertilization) and do not want to curtail reproductive plans due to mobilization often turn to the medical center.^[3]

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