A mouse that was conceived using sperm, sent via the mail in an envelope Daiyu Toto, University of YamanashiOne simple method to send sperm via the mail could be useful in scientific research and animal husbandry.Sperm can be transported both nationally and internationally. However, the glass vials used for transport are susceptible to breaking during transit.Daiyu Ito, a Japanese University researcher, has developed a method to transfer sperm without the possibility of losing samples. This involves placing the sperm onto a piece of paper and then putting it in the mail.AdvertisementIto says that until now, it was necessary to freeze mouse sperm in order to send it to other researchers. It is expensive to keep a constant supply of electricity and liquid nitrogen for transportation. If there is an earthquake or road disruption, all the sperm may melt and become unusable.Researchers suggested that freezing sperm on a surface could be an alternative to sending it via standard mail. The team tested several materials including vinyl sheets and filter paper before deciding that weighing paper, a paper that is used to store samples for scientific analysis, was the best choice. The paper could be frozen dried on mouse sperm and then retrieved later. Researchers have named this a sperm books, because it could contain thousands of samples of mouse sperm.The researchers frozen mouse sperm and added it to a sheet weighing paper. They then sandwiched the paper between sheets of plastic for easy handling. Finally, they sent the paper through Japan's postal service in an envelope or attached as a postcard.Read more: Mouse sperm sent into space produces healthy IVF babiesAfter the two-day journey of 200 km from the University of Tokyo, to the University of Yamanashi, the samples were finally retrieved by researchers. They could then use the sperm for the production of healthy mice.This delivery method is simple, but there are risks of misuse and illegal transport of genetic material. Ito, whose team has previously sent mouse embryos into space, said that this will require new regulations.Ryosuke Kanneko, a Japanese professor at Osaka University, believes that it is unlikely that the new method could be used for human fertility treatments.Kaneko says that human assisted reproduction technologies could increase the risk of certain diseases in the later years. Therefore, caution must be taken when preserving human sperm. This study suggests that it is possible to preserve and transport human spermatozoa using simpler, less expensive, safer, and more space-saving methods.Journal reference: iScience, DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102815
