In vitro dissolution of encapsulated or dispersed Vitamin e and cholesterol is correlated with preservation of refrigerated ovine sperm.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin E ( -tocopherol) and cholesterol are crucial components in cellular protection and physiological processes. Their uses in biological media face challenges due to their poor solubility and stability. OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the complex interactions of these bioactive compounds in various encapsulation systems of cyclodextrin and liposome, as well as dispersion in PEG-6000, in an attempt to improve the viability, motility, and preservation of ovine sperm cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The work explored the in vitro dissolution kinetics of vitamin E (d-tocopherol) and cholesterol using semi-empirical models. RESULTS: The release profiles of VitE and Chl varied considerably, depending on the specific carrier systems. For liposome-loaded VitE and Chl, the Korsmeyer-Peppas model gave the best fit; for CD/VitE and CD/Chl, the Higuchi model provided the best fit, whereas for PEG-6000 dispersions (VitE and Chl) both the Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas models demonstrated the excellent fit. All systems indicated a Fickian diffusion mechanism dictated by the concentration gradient. The delivery of VitE and Chl with CD, liposome and PEG dispersion significantly increased sperm mobility and motility. The effect on the VCL parameter was the greatest by liposome-loaded VitE and Chl, followed by CD encapsulation and PEG-6000 dispersion. CONCLUSION: The dynamics of vitamin E and cholesterol within innovative delivery systems offers valuable insights into the development of advanced solutions in reproductive health, particularly on improving the viability, motility of refrigerated ovine sperm cells. Doi.org/10.54680/fr24510110712.

Camptothecin: solubility, in-vitro drug release, and effect on human red blood cells and sperm cold preservation.

BACKGROUND: Camptothecin (CPT) is an anticancer drug, and is not employed in the clinic because of its high hydrophobicity and low active form stability. CPT may also have potential for use in cold preservation. OBJECTIVE: To overcome these drawbacks, CPT solubility variations in the presence of cyclodextrins (CDs) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were evaluated by Higuchi solubility experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CPT was encapsulated in different cyclodextrins and polyethylene glycol using a co-evaporation method. The CPT interactions with CDs and PEG 6000 were investigated by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). Then, CPT complexes were evaluated for in-vitro drug release. To evaluate the potential anticancer efficacy of the CPT complexes system, in-vitro cytotoxicity studies on human red blood cells were carried out using UV assay. The impact of the CPT complex systems on sperm motility protection during cold preservation at 4 degree C was studied using CASA. RESULTS: The dissolution profile of these preparations shows the improvement of the dissolution of the CPT following a fickien diffusion. The CPT solubility and stability improvement were the cause of the cytotoxicity on the red blood cells test. However, CPT alone, encapsulated, dispersed, and chemically modified protected spermatozoids during cold preservation. CONCLUSION: We confirm the interest in CPT encapsulated and dispersed in anticancer treatments. We also found that CPT encapsulated or dispersed could protect sperm against oxidative damage and improve the membrane integrity of human sperm. Consequently, CPT encapsulated our dispersed could eventually be beneficial for infertility therapy. Doi: 10.54680/fr23210110712.

Drug release, stability and efficiency of vitamin e loaded in liposomes for bovine sperm protection in cryopreservation medium.

BACKGROUND: It is known that a considerable number of drugs in clinical use or under development are water-insoluble drugs with poor bioavailability. The liposomal delivery system has drawn attention as one of the noteworthy approaches to increase both dissolution and absorption because of its biocompatibility and ability to encapsulate hydrophobic molecules in the lipid domain. However, several drawbacks have been reported, the most common is liposome structural instability. OBJECTIVE: To encapsulate alpha tocopherol into liposomes, to determine the new formulation stability and to study the drug-release of alpha tocopherol into the sperm cryopreservation medium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The liposomes prepared by an ethanol injection method were characterized for size stability, alpha tocopherol release and sperm motility tests. RESULTS: The prepared unilamellar vesicles had both narrow size distribution (around 99 nm) and a good physical and chemical stability at 4°C during 12 months. The liposomes did not release the vitamin E immediately, but retained the protectant for 24 hours, probably due to the rigidity of the liposomal fence which was reinforced by adding cholesterol. Then, all vitamin E molecules were released by 48 hours. Release was potentially by Fickian diffusion probably by the creation of mini-ducts due to both agitation and fence hydration. Moreover, semen motility treated with vitamin E liposome preparations was significantly improved compared to all other treatments (including commonly used sperm conservation media). CONCLUSION: The stable vitamin E liposomes formulated in this work are a promising alternative for semen cryopreservation protection.

Encapsulation Nanotechnology in Sperm Cryopreservation: Systems Preparation Methods and Antioxidants Enhanced Delivery.

Sperm cryopreservation promotes the storage and transport of germplasm for its use in artificial insemination (AI) and other advanced reproductive technologies. However, sperm cryopreservation causes several stresses including thermal shock, osmotic damage, and ice crystal formation, thereby reducing sperm quality. Supplementing cryoprotectant media with antioxidants has been reported to be positive in different species. It has been widely suggested to combine antioxidants with nanotechnology, to maximize therapeutic activity and to minimize undesirable side effects. In this review, we discuss the role of different antioxidants in sperm cryopreservation and their improved therapeutic effect through their formulation using nanotechnology. In addition, we report the different nano-systems preparation methods present in literature. Whilst the use of nanotechnology in animal production is still in its infancy, encouraging results from nutrition, biocidal, remedial, and reproductive studies are driving further investigations.