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Seki S, Kawabe T, Yamazaki W, Matsumura K, Oikawa T, Obata T, Higashiya M, Yano M, Eto T. Cryopreservation of rat embryos at all developmental stages by small-volume vitrification procedure and rapid warming in cryotubes. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20903. [PMID: 38017006 PMCID: PMC10684866 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47394-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracellular ice formation during cryopreservation is lethal to the cell, including during warming. Here, we examined the effect of sample volume and warming rate on the cryopreservation success of 1-cell rat embryos based on successful development into blastocysts in vitro and to term in vivo following embryo transfer. Embryos were equilibrated in 5% propylene glycol solution for 10 min, held for 40 s at 0 °C in cryopreservation solution (5%PG + PEPeS), and cooled by immersion in liquid nitrogen. When 1-cell embryos were cryopreserved in a volume of 30-100 μL at a cooling rate of 5830-7160 °C/min and warmed at 35,480-49,400 °C/min by adding 1 mL of 0.3 M sucrose solution at 50 °C, 17.3-28.8% developed into blastocysts, compared with 57.0% of untreated embryos. However, when 1-cell embryos were cryopreserved in a smaller volume of 15 μl at 7950 °C/min and warmed at 68,850 °C/min, 58.8 ± 10.6% developed into blastocysts and 50.0 ± 7.4% developed to term, comparable to that of non-treated embryos (57.0 ± 5.4% and 51.4 ± 3.1%, respectively). Cryopreserved embryos at other developmental stages also showed high in vitro culture potential similar to that of the control. Using a conventional cryotube and a small-volume vitrification procedure with rapid warming, we achieved high levels of subsequent rat embryonic development at all developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinsuke Seki
- Experimental Animal Division, Bioscience Education and Research Support Center, Akita University, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita, Akita, 010-8543, Japan.
| | - Toshiaki Kawabe
- ARK Resource Co., Ltd., 456 Osozu, Misato-machi, Shimomashiki-gun, Kumamoto, 861-4401, Japan
| | - Wataru Yamazaki
- Experimental Animal Division, Bioscience Education and Research Support Center, Akita University, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita, Akita, 010-8543, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Matsumura
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahi-dai, Nomi, Ishikawa, 923-1292, Japan
| | - Takanori Oikawa
- Experimental Animal Division, Bioscience Education and Research Support Center, Akita University, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita, Akita, 010-8543, Japan
| | - Takahiro Obata
- Experimental Animal Division, Bioscience Education and Research Support Center, Akita University, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita, Akita, 010-8543, Japan
| | - Misako Higashiya
- Experimental Animal Division, Bioscience Education and Research Support Center, Akita University, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita, Akita, 010-8543, Japan
| | - Megumi Yano
- Experimental Animal Division, Bioscience Education and Research Support Center, Akita University, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita, Akita, 010-8543, Japan
| | - Tomoo Eto
- Central Institute for Experimental Animals, 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, 210-0821, Japan.
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Amini M, Benson JD. Technologies for Vitrification Based Cryopreservation. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10050508. [PMID: 37237578 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10050508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryopreservation is a unique and practical method to facilitate extended access to biological materials. Because of this, cryopreservation of cells, tissues, and organs is essential to modern medical science, including cancer cell therapy, tissue engineering, transplantation, reproductive technologies, and bio-banking. Among diverse cryopreservation methods, significant focus has been placed on vitrification due to low cost and reduced protocol time. However, several factors, including the intracellular ice formation that is suppressed in the conventional cryopreservation method, restrict the achievement of this method. To enhance the viability and functionality of biological samples after storage, a large number of cryoprotocols and cryodevices have been developed and studied. Recently, new technologies have been investigated by considering the physical and thermodynamic aspects of cryopreservation in heat and mass transfer. In this review, we first present an overview of the physiochemical aspects of freezing in cryopreservation. Secondly, we present and catalog classical and novel approaches that seek to capitalize on these physicochemical effects. We conclude with the perspective that interdisciplinary studies provide pieces of the cryopreservation puzzle to achieve sustainability in the biospecimen supply chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Amini
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - James D Benson
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada
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Yan G, Yao Y, Yang W, Lu L, Wang L, Zhao D, Zhao S. An all-37 °C thawing method improves the clinical outcomes of vitrified frozen-thawed embryo transfer: a retrospective study using a case-control matching analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2023; 307:1991-1999. [PMID: 37041370 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07029-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of different temperatures and incubation times on the clinical outcomes of FET cycles during the thawing procedure and to select a better thawing method to improve clinical outcomes. METHODS This retrospective study included 1734 FET cycles from January 1, 2020, to January 30, 2022. Embryos vitrified using a KITAZATO Vitrification Kit were thawed at 37 °C in all steps (the case group, denoted the "all-37 °C" group) or at 37 °C and then at room temperature (RT; the control group, denoted the "37 °C-RT" group), according to the kit instructions. The groups were matched 1:1 to avoid confounding. RESULTS After case-control matching, 366 all-37 °C cycles and 366 37 °C-RT cycles were included. The baseline characteristics were similar (all P > 0.05) between the two groups after matching. FET of the all-37 °C group yielded a higher clinical pregnancy rate (CPR; P = 0.009) and implantation rate (IR; P = 0.019) than FET of the 37 °C-RT group. For blastocyst transfers, the CPR (P = 0.019) and IR (P = 0.025) were significantly higher in the all-37 °C group than in the 37 °C-RT group. For D3-embryo transfers, the CPR and IR were non-significantly higher in the all-37 °C group than in the 37 °C-RT group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Thawing vitrified embryos at 37 °C in all steps with shortening wash time can enhance CPR and IR in FET cycles. Well-designed prospective studies are warranted to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of the all-37 °C thawing method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaofeng Yan
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Youlin Yao
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Wenjuan Yang
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Ling Lu
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Longda Wang
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Di Zhao
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Shuhua Zhao
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China.
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Taketsuru H, Tsukada YI, Kaneko T. Survivability and subsequent development of vitrified early-stage mouse embryos after warming at different temperatures. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 591:50-53. [PMID: 34999253 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.12.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Cryopreservation of embryos is a useful method for stably preserving various strains for a long time, and the cryopreserved embryos can be used at any time by simple warming. However, the viability of cryopreserved embryos, particularly vitrification at an early stage, is low compared to that of fresh embryos. As the warming process during vitrification is known to affect the survivability and subsequent development of embryos, the present study aimed to examine the viability and subsequent development of vitrified early-stage mouse embryos after warming at different temperatures. The survival rate of pronuclear and 2-cell stage embryos warmed at 60 °C (97% and 88%, respectively) was significantly higher than that of the embryos warmed at 37 °C (46% and 48%, respectively). The pronuclear and 2-cell stage embryos warmed at 60 °C (86% and 100%) showed better development to the blastocyst stage than the embryos warmed at 37 °C (72% and 84%, respectively). The development of offspring of the surviving embryos was similar at both the warming temperatures. These results showed that the survivability and subsequent development of vitrified early-stage mouse embryos were obviously increased upon rapid warming. This improved warming process could be helpful for the maintenance and reproduction of genetic resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Taketsuru
- Advanced Biological Information Research Division, INAMORI Frontier Research Center, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Yu-Ichi Tsukada
- Advanced Biological Information Research Division, INAMORI Frontier Research Center, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Takehito Kaneko
- Division of Science and Engineering Graduate School of Arts and Science, Iwate University, Iwate, 020-8551, Japan; Department of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Iwate University, Iwate, 020-8551, Japan.
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Nishijima K, Kitajima S, Matsuhisa F, Niimi M, Wang CC, Fan J. Strategies for Highly Efficient Rabbit Sperm Cryopreservation. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051220. [PMID: 33922622 PMCID: PMC8145333 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The rabbit is a valuable animal for both the economy and biomedical sciences. Sperm cryopreservation is one of the most efficient ways to preserve rabbit strains because it is easy to collect ejaculate repeatedly from a single male and inseminate artificially into multiple females. During the cooling, freezing and thawing process of sperms, the plasma membrane, cytoplasm and genome structures could be damaged by osmotic stress, cold shock, intracellular ice crystal formation, and excessive production of reactive oxygen species. In this review, we will discuss the progress made during the past years regarding efforts to minimize the cell damage in rabbit sperms, including freezing extender, cryoprotectants, supplements, and procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazutoshi Nishijima
- Center for Animal Resources and Collaborative Study, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 38 Nishigonaka, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
- National Institute for Physiological Sciences, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 38 Nishigonaka, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
- Department of Physiological Sciences, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Aichi, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
- Correspondence: (K.N.); (J.F.); Tel.: +81-564-557781 (K.N.); +81-55-2739519 (J.F.)
| | - Shuji Kitajima
- Analytical Research Center for Experimental Sciences, Division of Biological Resources and Development, Saga University, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan; (S.K.); (F.M.)
| | - Fumikazu Matsuhisa
- Analytical Research Center for Experimental Sciences, Division of Biological Resources and Development, Saga University, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan; (S.K.); (F.M.)
| | - Manabu Niimi
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo 409-3898, Japan;
| | - Chen-chi Wang
- Animal Resources Section, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan;
| | - Jianglin Fan
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo 409-3898, Japan;
- School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, China
- Correspondence: (K.N.); (J.F.); Tel.: +81-564-557781 (K.N.); +81-55-2739519 (J.F.)
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Fukuda Y, Higashiya M, Obata T, Basaki K, Yano M, Matsumura K, Ono K, Ohba T, Okamoto Y, Nishijima K, Seki S. Small-volume vitrification and rapid warming yield high survivals of one-cell rat embryos in cryotubes†. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:258-266. [PMID: 33783478 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
To cryopreserve cells, it is essential to avoid intracellular ice formation during cooling and warming. One way to achieve this is to convert the water inside the cells into a non-crystalline glass. It is currently believed that to accomplish this vitrification, the cells must be suspended in a very high concentration (20-40%) of a glass-inducing solute, and subsequently cooled very rapidly. Herein, we report that this belief is erroneous with respect to the vitrification of one-cell rat embryos. In the present study, one-cell rat embryos were vitrified with 5 μL of EFS10 (a mixture of 10% ethylene glycol (EG), 27% Ficoll, and 0.45 M sucrose) in cryotubes at a moderate cooling rate, and warmed at various rates. Survival was assessed according to the ability of the cells to develop into blastocysts and to develop to term. When embryos were vitrified at a 2613 °C/min cooling rate and thawed by adding 1 mL of sucrose solution (0.3 M, 50 °C) at a warming rate of 18 467 °C/min, 58.1 ± 3.5% of the EFS10-vitrified embryos developed into blastocysts, and 50.0 ± 4.7% developed to term. These rates were similar to those of non-treated intact embryos. Using a conventional cryotube, we achieved developmental capabilities in one-cell rat embryos by rapid warming that were comparable to those of intact embryos, even using low concentrations (10%) of cell-permeating cryoprotectant and at low cooling rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuyoshi Fukuda
- Experimental Animal Division, Bioscience Education and Research Support Center, Akita University, Akita, Akita, Japan
- Department of Cell Physiology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Akita, Japan
| | - Misako Higashiya
- Experimental Animal Division, Bioscience Education and Research Support Center, Akita University, Akita, Akita, Japan
| | - Takahiro Obata
- Experimental Animal Division, Bioscience Education and Research Support Center, Akita University, Akita, Akita, Japan
| | - Keita Basaki
- Experimental Animal Division, Bioscience Education and Research Support Center, Akita University, Akita, Akita, Japan
| | - Megumi Yano
- Experimental Animal Division, Bioscience Education and Research Support Center, Akita University, Akita, Akita, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Matsumura
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Nomi, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Kyoichi Ono
- Department of Cell Physiology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Akita, Japan
| | | | - Yosuke Okamoto
- Department of Cell Physiology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Akita, Japan
| | - Kazutoshi Nishijima
- Experimental Animal Division, Bioscience Education and Research Support Center, Akita University, Akita, Akita, Japan
- National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
- Center for Experimental Animals, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Seki
- Experimental Animal Division, Bioscience Education and Research Support Center, Akita University, Akita, Akita, Japan
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Yong KW, Laouar L, Elliott JAW, Jomha NM. Review of non-permeating cryoprotectants as supplements for vitrification of mammalian tissues. Cryobiology 2020; 96:1-11. [PMID: 32910946 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2020.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Vitrification of mammalian tissues is important in the areas of human assisted reproduction, animal reproduction, and regenerative medicine. Non-permeating cryoprotectants (CPAs), particularly sucrose, are increasingly used in conjunction with permeating CPAs for vitrification of mammalian tissues. Combining non-permeating and permeating CPAs was found to further improve post-thaw viability and functionalities of vitrified mammalian tissues, showing the potential applications of such tissues in various clinical and veterinary settings. With the rising demand for the use of non-permeating CPAs in vitrification of mammalian tissues, there is a strong need for a timely and comprehensive review on the supplemental effects of non-permeating CPAs toward vitrification outcomes of mammalian tissues. In this review, we first discuss the roles of non-permeating CPAs including sugars and high molecular weight polymers in vitrification. We then summarize the supplemental effects of non-permeating CPAs on viability and functionalities of mammalian embryos, and ovarian, testicular, articular cartilage, tracheal, and kidney tissues following vitrification. Lastly, challenges associated with the use of non-permeating CPAs in vitrification of mammalian tissues are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kar Wey Yong
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7, Canada
| | - Leila Laouar
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7, Canada
| | - Janet A W Elliott
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R7, Canada
| | - Nadr M Jomha
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7, Canada.
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