Multi-omics insights into cryodamage mechanisms of mammalian sperm: current research advances

Sperm cryopreservation serves as a cornerstone technique in assisted reproductive technology (ART), with extensive applications in human reproductive medicine, livestock breeding, and conservation of endangered species. However, the freezing process can induce sperm membrane damage, oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, ultimately impairing sperm motility, metabolic activity, and fertilizing capacity. Recent advances in multi-omics technologies (transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) have provided novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying cryodamage. Studies demonstrate that cryopreservation disrupts gene expression patterns, protein function, and metabolic pathways (particularly those related to energy metabolism pathways and oxidative stress-related pathways). This review systematically summarizes the application of multi-omics technologies in sperm cryodamage research, providing a theoretical foundation for developing precision preservation protocols. Future research combining spatial multi-omics and other technologies will enable precision cryoprotectant formulation and dynamic freezing protocol optimization, ultimately enhancing post-thaw sperm survival rates and functional integrity for clinical applications.