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Chen Q, Zhou D, Wang C, Ye M, Jia Y, Liu B, Bukulmez O, Norman RJ, Hu H, Yeung SB, Teng X, Liu W, Chen M. The adverse effects of vitrification on mouse embryo development and metabolic phenotype in offspring. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23372. [PMID: 38102977 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301774rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Embryo vitrification is a standard procedure in assisted reproductive technology. Previous studies have shown that frozen embryo transfer is associated with an elevated risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study aimed to explore the effects of mouse blastocyst vitrification on the phenotype of vitrified-warmed blastocysts, their intrauterine and postnatal development, and the long-term metabolic health of the derived offspring. The vitrified-warmed blastocysts (IVF + VT group) exhibited reduced mitochondrial activity, increased apoptotic levels, and decreased cell numbers when compared to the fresh blastocysts (IVF group). Implantation rates, live pup rates, and crown-rump length at E18.5 were not different between the two groups. However, there was a significant decrease in fetal weight and fetal/placental weight ratio in the IVF + VT group. Furthermore, the offspring of the IVF + VT group at an age of 36 weeks had reduced whole energy consumption, impaired glucose and lipid metabolism when compared with the IVF group. Notably, RNA-seq results unveiled disturbed hepatic gene expression in the offspring from vitrified-warmed blastocysts. This study revealed the short-term negative impacts of vitrification on embryo and fetal development and the long-term influence on glucose and lipid metabolism that persist from the prenatal stage into adulthood in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoyu Chen
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dan Zhou
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changxin Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mingming Ye
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanping Jia
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Binya Liu
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Orhan Bukulmez
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Robert J Norman
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Hanxin Hu
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Biu Yeung
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, the University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoming Teng
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenqiang Liu
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Miaoxin Chen
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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Kovačič B, Taborin M, Vlaisavljević V, Reljič M, Knez J. To collapse or not to collapse blastocysts before vitrification? A matched case-control study on single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfers. Reprod Biomed Online 2022; 45:669-678. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Mitsuhata S, Endo Y, Hayashi M, Fujii Y, Motoyama H. Effect on clinical and neonatal outcomes of blastocelic microsuction prior to vitrification. Reprod Med Biol 2019; 18:284-289. [PMID: 31312108 PMCID: PMC6613010 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Microsuction (MS) is a technique for mechanically emptying fluid from blastocele using a microneedle. In this study, we evaluated the improvement in clinical and neonatal outcomes of vitrified blastocyst transfer programs when MS of blastocelic fluid was used before vitrification. METHODS This was a retrospective study based on data collected between March 2014 and August 2016. A total of 317 blastocysts obtained from 211 patients were analyzed. The blastocelic fluid of expanded blastocysts was aspirated completely, and blastocysts were collapsed prior to vitrification. Clinical and neonatal outcomes of warmed blastocysts were compared. RESULTS The survival rate of the MS blastocyst was significantly higher compared with the nontreatment control (98.7% vs 89.3%, OR: 9.34, 95% CI: 2.35-36.8, P < 0.01). The rates of implantation and live birth were higher in the MS group than in the control group, but the differences were not significant. There were no differences in gestational age, birthweight, proportion of male babies, rates of cesarean section, and congenital abnormalities. CONCLUSION The MS procedure improved blastocyst survival and had little effect on further embryo development after warming.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuji Endo
- IVF CenterKurashiki Medical ClinicKurashikiJapan
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Frank LA, Rose RD, Anastasi MR, Tan TCY, Barry MF, Thompson JG, Brown HM. Artificial blastocyst collapse prior to vitrification significantly improves Na+/K+-ATPase-dependent post-warming blastocoel re-expansion kinetics without inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress gene expression in the mouse. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019; 31:294-305. [DOI: 10.1071/rd17500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocoel expansion during embryo development is known to be reliant on the Na+/K+-ATPase pump, but little is known about the relative contribution of active (Na+/K+-ATPase pump) and facilitated diffusion (aquaporins) water transport during blastocoel re-expansion after vitrification. The aims of this study were to examine potential effects of artificial blastocoel collapse (ABC) on markers of embryo stress and the contribution of active and facilitated diffusion water transport mechanisms to blastocoel re-expansion. Day 5 mouse embryos were vitrified using either a standard protocol, laser pulse ABC, a hyperosmotic sucrose ABC protocol or both laser pulse and sucrose. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, no differences were found in the gene expression of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers activating transcription factor 4 (Atf4) or heat shock protein 90-alpha (Hsp90α) 2h after warming. Similarly, expression of the Na+/K+-ATPase pump gene, ATPase, Na+/K+ transporting, beta 1 polypeptide (Atp1b1) and protein did not differ between groups. Aquaporin 8 (Aqp8) gene expression was significantly lower in the laser+sucrose ABC group than in fresh controls, and aquaporin 3 (Aqp3) expression significantly higher in standard vitrified embryos compared with all other groups. Ouabain, a potent and specific Na+/K+-ATPase pump inhibitor, inhibited blastocoel re-expansion in both standard protocol- and laser ABC-vitrified embryos, reducing both groups to the same rate of re-expansion 3h after warming. These results demonstrate that ABC before vitrification does not alter mRNA or protein expression of Na+/K+-ATPase, or mRNA levels of ER stress genes Atf4 and Hsp90α. Activity of the pump may be increased in ABC embryos, with potential compensation by AQP3 when it is compromised.
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Wilsher S, Rigali F, Couto G, Camargo S, Allen WR. Vitrification of equine expanded blastocysts following puncture with or without aspiration of the blastocoele fluid. Equine Vet J 2018; 51:500-505. [DOI: 10.1111/evj.13039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - G. Couto
- Sharjah Equine Hospital Sharjah UAE
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Kim HJ, Park SB, Yang JB, Choi YB, Lee KH. Effects of laser-assisted hatching and exposure time to vitrification solution on mouse embryo development. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2018; 44:193-200. [PMID: 29376016 PMCID: PMC5783916 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2017.44.4.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 09/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of laser-assisted hatching (LAH) and various vitrification times for embryonic development and blastocyst cell numbers. Methods First, 2-cell and 8-cell embryos were collected by flushing out the oviducts. In the control groups, they were vitrified for 8 or 10 minutes without LAH. The LAH groups underwent quarter laser zona thinning-assisted hatching before vitrification (4, 6, and 8 minutes or 4, 7, and 10 minutes, respectively). After incubation, double-immunofluorescence staining was performed. Results The hatched blastocyst rate 72 hours after the 2-cell embryos were thawed was significantly higher in the 2LAH-ES8 group (33.3%) than in the other groups (p<0.05). In the control-8 group (22.1±4.6), the cell number of the inner cell mass was higher than in the LAH groups (p<0.05). The number of trophectoderm cells was higher in the 2LAH-ES6 group (92.8±8.9) than in the others (p<0.05). The hatched blastocyst rate 48 hours after the 8-cell embryos were thawed was higher in the 8LAH-ES4 group (45.5%) than in the other groups, but not significantly. The inner cell mass cell number was highest in the 8LAH-ES7 group (19.5±5.1, p<0.05). The number of trophectoderm cells was higher in the 8LAH-ES10 group (73.2±12.1) than in the other groups, but without statistical significance. Conclusion When LAH was performed, 2-cell embryos with large blastomeres had a lower hatched blastocyst rate when the exposure to vitrification solution was shorter. Conversely, 8-cell embryos with small blastomere had a higher hatched blastocyst rate when the exposure to vitrification solution was shorter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Jin Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Sung Baek Park
- Mirae i Infertility Clinic, Mirae Ladies Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jung Bo Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Young Bae Choi
- Mirae i Infertility Clinic, Mirae Ladies Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Ki Hwan Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
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Artificial blastocoel collapse of human blastocysts before vitrification and its effect on re-expansion after warming - a prospective observational study using time-lapse microscopy. Reprod Biomed Online 2017; 36:121-129. [PMID: 29212605 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2017.10.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Vitrified human blastocysts show varied re-expansion capacity after warming. This prospective observational study compared behaviour of artificially collapsed blastocysts (study group patients, n = 69) to that of blastocysts that were vitrified without artificial collapse (control group patients, n = 72). Warmed blastocysts were monitored by time-lapse microscopy and blastocoel re-expansion speed and growth patterns compared between study and control groups. These parameters were also retrospectively compared between blastocysts that resulted in live birth and those that failed. Artificially collapsed blastocysts re-expanded on average 15.01 µm2/min faster than control blastocysts (P = 0.0013). Warmed blastocysts expressed four different patterns of blastocoel growth. The pattern showing contractions at the end of culture was observed to have a lower prevalence in control blastocysts, which coincided with the lower incidence of hatching in this group. Re-expansion speed and prevalence of growth patterns were comparable between blastocysts that did and did not result in a live birth. This was seen in the study and control groups. Despite faster re-expansion and different growth patterns of artificially collapsed blastocysts, live birth rate did not differ between groups. However, this result should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and high risk of bias.
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Poli M, Ori A, Child T, Jaroudi S, Spath K, Beck M, Wells D. Characterization and quantification of proteins secreted by single human embryos prior to implantation. EMBO Mol Med 2016; 7:1465-79. [PMID: 26471863 PMCID: PMC4644378 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201505344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) has revolutionized the treatment of infertility and is now responsible for 1–5% of all births in industrialized countries. During IVF, it is typical for patients to generate multiple embryos. However, only a small proportion of them possess the genetic and metabolic requirements needed in order to produce a healthy pregnancy. The identification of the embryo with the greatest developmental capacity represents a major challenge for fertility clinics. Current methods for the assessment of embryo competence are proven inefficient, and the inadvertent transfer of non-viable embryos is the principal reason why most IVF treatments (approximately two-thirds) end in failure. In this study, we investigate how the application of proteomic measurements could improve success rates in clinical embryology. We describe a procedure that allows the identification and quantification of proteins of embryonic origin, present in attomole concentrations in the blastocoel, the enclosed fluid-filled cavity that forms within 5-day-old human embryos. By using targeted proteomics, we demonstrate the feasibility of quantifying multiple proteins in samples derived from single blastocoels and that such measurements correlate with aspects of embryo viability, such as chromosomal (ploidy) status. This study illustrates the potential of high-sensitivity proteomics to measure clinically relevant biomarkers in minute samples and, more specifically, suggests that key aspects of embryo competence could be measured using a proteomic-based strategy, with negligible risk of harm to the living embryo. Our work paves the way for the development of “next-generation” embryo competence assessment strategies, based on functional proteomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Poli
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Reproductive Sciences University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Oxford Fertility Unit, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Oxford, UK Reprogenetics UK, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Oxford, UK
| | - Alessandro Ori
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Structural and Computational Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tim Child
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Reproductive Sciences University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Oxford Fertility Unit, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Oxford, UK
| | - Souraya Jaroudi
- Reprogenetics UK, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Oxford, UK
| | - Katharina Spath
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Reproductive Sciences University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Reprogenetics UK, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Oxford, UK
| | - Martin Beck
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Structural and Computational Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dagan Wells
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Reproductive Sciences University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Reprogenetics UK, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Oxford, UK
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Comparison of vitrified outcomes between human early blastocysts and expanded blastocysts. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2016; 52:522-9. [PMID: 26956359 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-016-0009-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
We compared the vitrified outcomes between early and expanded blastocysts with or without laser drilling. The grade III embryos from the patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in our reproductive center from September 2009 to February 2015 were incubated into early blastocysts and expanded blastocysts. The early blastocysts and expanded blastocysts were, respectively, divided into laser group (vitrification after laser drilling), non-laser group (direct vitrification), and control group (fresh non-vitrified blastocysts). After thawing, the blastular anabiosis rate, expansion rate, hatching rate, and apoptosis were observed in each group and then were compared amongst groups. This study indicated that the blastular expansion rate (all P < 0.01) and hatching rate (all P < 0.01) were significantly lower, but the blastular apoptosis (all P < 0.05) was significantly higher in both laser and non-laser groups than in the control group in the early blastocysts. In the expanded blastocysts, the blastular anabiosis rate was significantly higher in the laser group than in the non-laser group (P < 0.01), and the blastular expansion rate was significantly higher, but the blastular apoptosis was significantly lower in both laser group and control group than in the non-laser group (all P < 0.05). The blastular expansion rate (all P < 0.01) and hatching rate (all P < 0.01) were significantly higher, but the blastular apoptosis (all P < 0.05) was significantly lower in the expanded laser group than in both early laser and early non-laser groups. We conclude that vitrification for laser-drilling expanded blastocysts can achieve the best outcomes.
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Artificial shrinkage of blastocoel using a laser pulse prior to vitrification improves clinical outcome. J Assist Reprod Genet 2016; 33:467-71. [PMID: 26843389 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-016-0662-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Blastocysts contain a large amount of fluid in the blastocoel, which may pose a risk for ice crystal formation during vitrification. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of laser-induced artificial shrinkage of blastocoel before vitrification on clinical outcome. METHODS Patients were divided into two groups: a control group with untreated, expanded blastocysts (n = 115) and a study group with blastocoel artificially eliminated by a laser pulse prior to vitrification (n = 309). Blastocyst survival, clinical pregnancy, and implantation rates were compared. RESULT(S) The survival rate was significantly higher in the study group compared with the control group (97.3 and 74.9 %, respectively; p > 0.01). The clinical pregnancy and implantation rates of the study group were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that of the control group (clinical pregnancy, 67.2 vs. 41.1 %; implantation, 39.1 vs. 24.5 %. CONCLUSION(S) This study demonstrated that the removal of blastocoel fluid before vitrification by laser pulse of in vitro-produced human blastocysts significantly improves blastocyst survival, clinical pregnancy, and implantation rates.
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Kopeika J, Thornhill A, Khalaf Y. The effect of cryopreservation on the genome of gametes and embryos: principles of cryobiology and critical appraisal of the evidence. Hum Reprod Update 2014; 21:209-27. [DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmu063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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Saragusty J, Arav A. Current progress in oocyte and embryo cryopreservation by slow freezing and vitrification. Reproduction 2011; 141:1-19. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-10-0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 328] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Preservation of female genetics is currently done primarily by means of oocyte and embryo cryopreservation. The field has seen much progress during its four-decade history, progress driven predominantly by research in humans, cows, and mice. Two basic cryopreservation techniques rule the field – controlled-rate freezing, the first to be developed, and vitrification, which, in recent years, has gained a foothold. While much progress has been achieved in human medicine, the cattle industry, and in laboratory animals, this is far from being the case for most other mammals and even less so for other vertebrates. The major strides and obstacles in human and other vertebrate oocyte and embryo cryopreservation will be reviewed here.
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Tsang WH, Chow KL. Cryopreservation of mammalian embryos: Advancement of putting life on hold. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 90:163-75. [PMID: 20860056 DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.20186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Rodent transgenesis and human-assisted reproductive programs involve multistep handling of preimplantation embryos. The efficacy of production and quality of results from conventionally scheduled programs are limited by temporal constraints other than the quality and quantities of embryos per se. The emergence of vitrification, a water ice-free cryopreservation technique, as a reliable way to arrest further growth of preimplantation embryos, provides an option to eliminate the time constraint. In this article, current and potential applications of cryopreservation to facilitate laboratory animal experiments, colony management, and human-assisted reproductive programs are reviewed. Carrier devices developed for vitrification in the last two decades are compared with an emphasis on their physical properties that infer cooling rate of samples and sterility assurance. Biological impacts of improved cryopreservation on preimplantation embryos are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Hung Tsang
- Department of Biology, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong
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Slow and ultrarapid cryopreservation of biopsied mouse blastocysts and its effect on DNA integrity index. J Assist Reprod Genet 2010; 27:509-15. [PMID: 20512616 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-010-9441-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2010] [Accepted: 05/13/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of slow and ultra-rapid freezing on biopsied blastocysts' DNA integrity. METHODS Forty eight mouse blastocysts were biopsied of which 16 were cryopreserved by slowly freezing and 17 by vitrification. Fourteen intact blastocysts were slowly cryopreserved and 24 were vitrified. Eighteen fresh intact blastocysts and fifteen biopsied blastocysts served as controls. The DNA integrity index of all blastocysts was evaluated using (TUNEL) staining and confocal imaging RESULTS Both slow freezing and vitrification of biopsied blastocysts induced apoptosis to a similar extent. Biopsying blastocysts before vitrification resulted in less apoptosis than vitrification of intact blastocysts. CONCLUSION Slow freezing and vitrification are equal options for preservation of biopsied blastocysts as regards the DNA integrity index (DII). Biopsied blastocysts better tolerate vitrification than intact expanded blastocysts.
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Kader AA, Choi A, Orief Y, Agarwal A. Factors affecting the outcome of human blastocyst vitrification. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2009; 7:99. [PMID: 19758458 PMCID: PMC2757025 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-7-99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2009] [Accepted: 09/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
With single blastocyst transfer practice becoming more common in ART, there is a greater demand for a convenient and reliable cryostorage of surplus blastocysts. Vitrification has emerged in the last decade as an alternative promising substitute for slow freezing. Blastocysts represent a unique challenge in cryostorage due to their size, multicellular structure and presence of blastocoele. The continuous acquisition of experience and introduction of many different technological developments has led to the improvement of vitrification as a technology and improved the results of its application in blastocyst cryostorage. The current information concerning safety and efficacy of the vitrification of blastocysts will be reviewed along with the variables that can impact the outcome of the procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr A Kader
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Ob/Gyn and Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
- Center of Surgical Innovation, Technology and Education, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Audrey Choi
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Ob/Gyn and Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Yasser Orief
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Ob/Gyn and Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Center of Surgical Innovation, Technology and Education, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Ob/Gyn and Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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