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Kamoshita M, Sugita H, Kageyama A, Kawata Y, Ito J, Kashiwazaki N. Recent advances of oocyte/embryo vitrification in mammals from rodents and large animals. Anim Sci J 2024; 95:e13931. [PMID: 38400795 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13931] [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: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Vitrification is a valuable technology that enables semipermanent preservation and long-distance or international transportation of genetically modified and native animals. In laboratory mice, vitrification maintains and transports embryos, and many institutions and companies sell vitrified embryos. In contrast, despite numerous papers reporting on vitrification in livestock over the past decade, practical implementation has yet to be achieved. However, with advances in genome editing technology, it is anticipated that the number of genetically modified domestic animals will increase, leading to a rise in demand for vitrification of oocytes and embryos. Here, we provide an objective overview of recent advancements in vitrification technology for livestock, drawing a comparison with the current developments in laboratory animals. Additionally, we explore the future prospects for vitrification in livestock, focusing on its potential benefits and drawbacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maki Kamoshita
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Hibiki Sugita
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Atsuko Kageyama
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Yui Kawata
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Junya Ito
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Naomi Kashiwazaki
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
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Gunst J, Vynck M, Hostens K, Standaert V, Roggeman S, van de Vijver A. Comparative Assessment of Survival and Clinical Outcome Between Two Commercial Vitrification Kits with Different Warming Protocols After Blastocyst Culture: Potential Perspectives Toward Simplified Warming Procedures. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:3212-3221. [PMID: 37311945 PMCID: PMC10643310 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01281-1] [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: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates whether there is an effect on laboratory results and clinical outcome using commercial kits with similar vitrification but different warming procedures for blastocysts vitrified on day 5 or day 6. A single-center retrospective cohort study was performed between 2011 and 2020. A change from a stage-specific kit (Kit 1) to a universal kit (Kit 2) was undertaken in 2017. A total of 1845 untested blastocysts were warmed for single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfers (SVBT). Eight hundred and twenty-five blastocysts were vitrified with Kit 1 and 1020 with Kit 2. Blastocyst survival was not different (96.1% versus 97.3%). Seven hundred seventy-seven SVBT were performed from Kit 1 and 981 from Kit 2. Overall clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were not different (35.4% versus 34.1% and 30.9% versus 30.5% for Kit 1 and 2, respectively). Subgroup analysis for live birth rates in relation to the day of blastocyst vitrification showed no differences (36.1% and 36.1% for day 5 and 25.4% and 23.5% for day 6 blastocysts, respectively). For both kits, the mean gestational age was not different (38.8 ± 2.5 weeks versus 38.8 ± 2.0 weeks) with a singleton birth weight of 3413 ± 571 g and 3410 ± 528 g for Kit 1 and Kit 2, respectively. Differences in warming procedures do not affect laboratory performance or clinical outcome after blastocyst vitrification. The plasticity of a human blastocyst may allow for further investigation on simplification of blastocyst warming procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Gunst
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital Sint-Jan Brugge-Oostende, Ruddershove 10, 8000, Bruges, BE, Belgium.
| | - Matthijs Vynck
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital Sint-Jan Brugge-Oostende, Ruddershove 10, 8000, Bruges, BE, Belgium
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, BE, Belgium
| | - Katleen Hostens
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital Sint-Jan Brugge-Oostende, Ruddershove 10, 8000, Bruges, BE, Belgium
| | - Valerie Standaert
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital Sint-Jan Brugge-Oostende, Ruddershove 10, 8000, Bruges, BE, Belgium
| | - Sylvie Roggeman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital Sint-Jan Brugge-Oostende, Ruddershove 10, 8000, Bruges, BE, Belgium
| | - Arne van de Vijver
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Center for Reproductive Medicine, General Hospital Sint-Jan Brugge-Oostende, Bruges, BE, Belgium
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Casciani V, Monseur B, Cimadomo D, Alvero R, Rienzi L. Oocyte and embryo cryopreservation in assisted reproductive technology: past achievements and current challenges. Fertil Steril 2023; 120:506-520. [PMID: 37290552 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.06.005] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cryopreservation has revolutionized the treatment of infertility and fertility preservation. This review summarizes the milestones that paved the way to the current routinary clinical implementation of this game-changing practice in assisted reproductive technology. Still, evidence to support "the best practice" in cryopreservation is controversial and several protocol adaptations exist that were described and compared here, such as cumulus-intact vs. cumulus-free oocyte cryopreservation, artificial collapse, assisted hatching, closed vs. open carriers, and others. A last matter of concern is whether cryostorage duration may impact oocyte/embryo competence, but the current body of evidence in this regard is reassuring. From social and clinical perspectives, oocyte and embryo cryopreservation has evolved from an afterthought when assisted reproduction was intended for immediate pregnancy with supernumerary embryos of secondary interest to its current purpose, which primarily is to preserve fertility long-term and more comprehensively allow for family planning. However, the initial consenting process, which still is geared to short-term fertility care, may no longer be relevant when the individuals that initially preserved the tissues have completed their reproductive journey. A more encompassing counseling model is required to address changing patient values over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Casciani
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - Brent Monseur
- Stanford Fertility and Reproductive Health, Stanford University, Sunnyvale, California
| | - Danilo Cimadomo
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - Ruben Alvero
- Stanford Fertility and Reproductive Health, Stanford University, Sunnyvale, California
| | - Laura Rienzi
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy; Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy.
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Narida A, Hsieh WC, Huang CL, Wen ZH, Tsai S, Lin C. Novel Long-Term Cryo-Storage Using Vitrification and Laser Warming Techniques. Biopreserv Biobank 2023; 21:427-432. [PMID: 36036798 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2022.0033] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitrification and laser warming have gained popularity over the traditional convective warming techniques in cryopreservation. Laser warming is rapid with uniform effects, thus preventing ice crystal formation in samples. Contemporary laser warming studies have focused on proof-of-concept experiments. Yet, no protocols or techniques have been developed to address the problem of warming samples from long-term storage. Herein, a new approach to laser warming samples without exposing the samples to ambient temperature is introduced. The new device presented has a mean laser-hitting accuracy of 76% ± 16% and a rewarming rate of 59% ± 25% on samples with <1 μL in volume. Although these rates depend on the choice of vitrification solution and mastery of the technique, the approach described represents a successful first step toward laser warming samples from long-term cryo-storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arah Narida
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | | | - Cheng-Liang Huang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Zhi-Hong Wen
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Sujune Tsai
- Department of Post-Modern Agriculture, Mingdao University, Chang Hua, Taiwan
| | - Chiahsin Lin
- National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Marine Biology, National Dong Hwa University, Pingtung, Taiwan
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Antonouli S, Di Nisio V, Messini C, Daponte A, Rajender S, Anifandis G. A comprehensive review and update on human fertility cryopreservation methods and tools. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1151254. [PMID: 37143497 PMCID: PMC10151698 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1151254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The broad conceptualization of fertility preservation and restoration has become already a major concern in the modern western world since a large number of individuals often face it in the everyday life. Driven by different health conditions and/or social reasons, a variety of patients currently rely on routinely and non-routinely applied assisted reproductive technologies, and mostly on the possibility to cryopreserve gametes and/or gonadal tissues for expanding their reproductive lifespan. This review embraces the data present in human-focused literature regarding the up-to-date methodologies and tools contemporarily applied in IVF laboratories' clinical setting of the oocyte, sperm, and embryo cryopreservation and explores the latest news and issues related to the optimization of methods used in ovarian and testicular tissue cryopreservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevastiani Antonouli
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Valentina Di Nisio
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christina Messini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece
| | - Alexandros Daponte
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece
| | - Singh Rajender
- Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - George Anifandis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece
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Cui M, Zhan T, Yang J, Dang H, Yang G, Han H, Liu L, Xu Y. Droplet Generation, Vitrification, and Warming for Cell Cryopreservation: A Review. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:1151-1163. [PMID: 36744931 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c01087] [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] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cryopreservation is currently a key step in translational medicine that could provide new ideas for clinical applications in reproductive medicine, regenerative medicine, and cell therapy. With the advantages of a low concentration of cryoprotectant, fast cooling rate, and easy operation, droplet-based printing for vitrification has received wide attention in the field of cryopreservation. This review summarizes the droplet generation, vitrification, and warming method. Droplet generation techniques such as inkjet printing, microvalve printing, and acoustic printing have been applied in the field of cryopreservation. Droplet vitrification includes direct contact with liquid nitrogen vitrification and droplet solid surface vitrification. The limitations of droplet vitrification (liquid nitrogen contamination, droplet evaporation, gas film inhibition of heat transfer, frosting) and solutions are discussed. Furthermore, a comparison of the external physical field warming method with the conventional water bath method revealed that better applications can be achieved in automated rapid warming of microdroplets. The combination of droplet vitrification technology and external physical field warming technology is expected to enable high-throughput and automated cryopreservation, which has a promising future in biomedicine and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdong Cui
- Institute of Biothermal Science & Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai200093, China
- Shanghai Co-innovation Center for Energy Therapy of Tumors, Shanghai200093, China
- Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Cryopreservation of Biological Resources, Shanghai200093, China
| | - Taijie Zhan
- Institute of Biothermal Science & Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai200093, China
- Shanghai Co-innovation Center for Energy Therapy of Tumors, Shanghai200093, China
- Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Cryopreservation of Biological Resources, Shanghai200093, China
| | - Jiamin Yang
- Institute of Biothermal Science & Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai200093, China
- Shanghai Co-innovation Center for Energy Therapy of Tumors, Shanghai200093, China
- Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Cryopreservation of Biological Resources, Shanghai200093, China
| | - Hangyu Dang
- Institute of Biothermal Science & Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai200093, China
- Shanghai Co-innovation Center for Energy Therapy of Tumors, Shanghai200093, China
- Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Cryopreservation of Biological Resources, Shanghai200093, China
| | - Guoliang Yang
- Institute of Biothermal Science & Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai200093, China
- Shanghai Co-innovation Center for Energy Therapy of Tumors, Shanghai200093, China
- Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Cryopreservation of Biological Resources, Shanghai200093, China
| | - Hengxin Han
- Institute of Biothermal Science & Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai200093, China
- Shanghai Co-innovation Center for Energy Therapy of Tumors, Shanghai200093, China
- Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Cryopreservation of Biological Resources, Shanghai200093, China
| | - Linfeng Liu
- Institute of Biothermal Science & Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai200093, China
- Shanghai Co-innovation Center for Energy Therapy of Tumors, Shanghai200093, China
- Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Cryopreservation of Biological Resources, Shanghai200093, China
| | - Yi Xu
- Institute of Biothermal Science & Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai200093, China
- Shanghai Co-innovation Center for Energy Therapy of Tumors, Shanghai200093, China
- Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Cryopreservation of Biological Resources, Shanghai200093, China
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Marco-Jiménez F, Garcia-Dominguez X, García-Valero L, Vicente JS. A 3D-Printed Large Holding Capacity Device for Minimum Volume Cooling Vitrification of Embryos in Prolific Livestock Species. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050791. [PMID: 36899646 PMCID: PMC10000242 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Although many devices have been developed to reduce sample volume, with an explosion of methods appearing in the literature over the last decade, commercially available devices with simultaneous vitrification of a larger number of embryos are scarce, with the apparent gap for their use in prolific livestock species. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of a new three-dimensional (3D)-printed device that combines minimum volume cooling vitrification with simultaneous vitrification of a larger number of rabbit embryos. Late morulae/early blastocysts were vitrified with the open Cryoeyelet® device (n = 175; 25 embryos per device), the open Cryotop® device (n = 175; 10 embryos per device), and the traditional closed French mini-straw device (n = 125; 25 embryos per straw) and compared in terms of in vitro development and reproductive performance after transfer to adoptive mothers. Fresh embryos constituted the control group (n = 125). In experiment 1, there was no difference in the development rate to the blastocyst hatching stage between the CryoEyelet® and the other devices. In experiment 2, the CryoEyelet® device showed a higher implantation rate compared with the Cryotop® (6.3% unit of SD, p = 0.87) and French mini-straw® (16.8% unit of SD, p = 1.00) devices. In terms of offspring rate, the CryoEyelet® device was similar to the Cryotop® device but superior to the French straw device. Regarding embryonic and fetal losses, the CryoEyelet® showed lower embryonic losses compared to other vitrification devices. The analysis of bodyweight showed that all devices showed a similar outcomes-a higher birthweight but a lower body weight at puberty than those in the fresh transfer embryos group. In summary, the CryoEyelet® device can be used for the vitrification of many late morulae or early blastocyst stage rabbit embryos per device. Further studies should be performed to evaluate the CryoEyelet® device in other polytocous species for the simultaneous vitrification of a large number of embryos.
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Vitrification and in-straw warming do not affect pregnancy rates of biopsied bovine embryos. Theriogenology 2022; 191:221-230. [PMID: 35998405 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the cattle industry, in vivo or in vitro embryo production combined with genotyping and cryopreservation technologies allows the selection and conservation of embryos carrying genes for desirable traits. This study aimed to assess the efficiency of a vitrification method suitable for in-straw warming of biopsied in vivo derived (IVD) bovine embryos. Three experiments were carried out using two methodologies: the Cryotop®, the gold standard vitrification and 3-step warming methodology, or the VitTrans, a vitrification/in-straw 1-step warming method that enables direct embryo transfer to the uterus. In experiment 1, intact and biopsied in vitro produced (IVP) day 7 expanded blastocysts were vitrified using the Cryotop® and warmed in 1- or 3-steps. No differences in survival rates were recorded at 24 h after warming for intact or biopsied IVP blastocysts irrespective of the warming procedure. In experiment 2, the effect of the time from trophectoderm (TE) biopsy to vitrification/in-straw warming on post-warming survival rate was assessed. No significant differences in survival were observed when blastocysts were vitrified/in-straw warmed immediately after biopsy or after 3 h in culture when compared to intact blastocysts. In experiment 3, IVD embryos were vitrified 3 h after biopsy using the Cryotop® or the VitTrans method and pregnancy rates were assessed at day 60 after transfer. Fresh, biopsied embryos served as control. Similar pregnancy rates were observed when IVD biopsied embryos were transferred fresh or vitrified/warmed by the Cryotop® or VitTrans method. No significant effect of the embryo quality or developmental stage was detected on the percentage of pregnant recipients when IVD biopsied embryos were transferred fresh or after vitrification. While fresh female IVD embryos produced significantly higher pregnancy rates than male embryos, there were no differences in pregnancy rates when male or female vitrified/warmed embryos were transferred. About 81% from the biopsies analyzed successfully determined the embryo sex, confirming that DNA was there, and it was efficiently amplified. To conclude, our findings indicate that both vitrification methodologies produced similar post-warming outcomes for both intact and biopsied IVP embryos. Besides, vitrification/in-straw warming of biopsied IVD bovine embryos did not affect the viability to originate pregnancy, being a useful option for their direct transfer in field conditions.
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Gonzalez-Plaza A, Cambra JM, Parrilla I, Gil MA, Martinez EA, Martinez CA, Cuello C. The Open Cryotop System Is Effective for the Simultaneous Vitrification of a Large Number of Porcine Embryos at Different Developmental Stages. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:936753. [PMID: 35812891 PMCID: PMC9257686 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.936753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Superfine Open Pulled Straw (SOPS) system is the most commonly used method for vitrification of pig embryos. However, this system only allows the vitrification of four to seven embryos per straw. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of the open (OC) and closed (CC) Cryotop® systems to simultaneously vitrify a larger number of porcine embryos. Morulae, early blastocysts and full blastocysts were vitrified with the open Cryotop® (n = 250; 20 embryos per device) system, the closed Cryotop® (n = 158; 20 embryos per device) system and the traditional superfine open pulled straw (SOPS; n = 241; 4–7 embryos per straw) method. Fresh embryos from each developmental stage constituted the control group (n = 132). Data expressed as percentages were compared with the Fisher's exact test. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the effect of the different vitrification systems on the embryo quality parameters and two-by-two comparisons were accomplished with the Mann-Whitney U test. Differences were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. Vitrified and control embryos were incubated for 24 h and examined for viability and quality. At the warming step, the embryo recovery rate for the CC system was 51%, while all embryos were recovered when using OC and SOPS. There were no differences between the vitrification and control groups in the postwarming viability of full blastocysts. In contrast, morulae and early blastocysts that were vitrified-warmed with the SOPS system had lower viability (p < 0.01) compared to those from the OC, CC and control groups. The embryonic viability was similar between the OC and control groups, regardless of the developmental stage considered. Moreover, the embryos from the OC group had comparable total cell number and cells from the inner cell mass and apoptotic index than the controls. In conclusion, the OC system is suitable for the simultaneous vitrification of 20 porcine embryos at different developmental stages and provides comparable viability and quality results to fresh embryos subjected to 24 h of in vitro culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Gonzalez-Plaza
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (CMN), University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Josep M. Cambra
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (CMN), University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Parrilla
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (CMN), University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Maria A. Gil
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (CMN), University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Emilio A. Martinez
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (CMN), University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina A. Martinez
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Division of Children's and Women's Health/Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Cristina A. Martinez
| | - Cristina Cuello
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (CMN), University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
- Cristina Cuello
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Antioxidant supplementation of mouse embryo culture or vitrification media support more in-vivo-like gene expression post-transfer. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 44:393-410. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Suttirojpattana T, Juanpanich T, Parnpai R, Vutyavanich T. Vitrification of mouse two-cell and blastocyst stage embryos in simplified closed system using either a hemi-straw or a hollow fiber device. Anim Sci J 2021; 92:e13585. [PMID: 34231952 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Two-cell stage and blastocyst stage mouse embryos were equilibrated in a medium containing 7.5% ethylene glycol (EG) and 7.5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 8-15 min. Vitrification was performed in a medium containing 0.5 M sucrose and either 15% EG + 15% DMSO, 17.5% EG + 17.5% DMSO, or 20% EG + 20% DMSO for 30 s. They were then placed either on a hemi-straw (HS) or a hollow fiber vitrification (HFV) device and vitrified by cooled air inside a 0.5-ml straw. In two-cell embryos, a 100% survival rate was obtained from all groups except the 20% HS group (P > .05). All vitrified two-cell groups showed similar rates of blastocyst development to that of fresh control group (P > .05), except 17.5% and 20% HFV groups, which were significantly lower than the other groups (P < .05). In the blastocyst embryos, the HFV groups were divided into two subgroups (non-collapsed; HFV-NC and collapsed; HFV-C blastocyst). Re-expansion rate in 15% HFV-NC, 17.5% HFV-NC, and 15% HFV-C groups was reduced (P < .05), whereas the rest were similar to control. In conclusion, we established a simplified, reliable, and closed system for HFV vitrification applying hemi-straw, which does not require skilled practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rangsun Parnpai
- Embryo Technology and Stem Cell Research Center, School of Biotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Teraporn Vutyavanich
- Division of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Truong TT, Gardner DK. Antioxidants increase blastocyst cryosurvival and viability post-vitrification. Hum Reprod 2021; 35:12-23. [PMID: 31916568 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the effect of antioxidants acetyl-L-carnitine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine and α-lipoic acid (A3) in vitrification and warming solutions on mouse blastocyst development and viability? SUMMARY ANSWER The combination of three antioxidants in vitrification solutions resulted in mouse blastocysts with higher developmental potential in vitro and increased viability as assessed by both an outgrowth model in vitro and fetal development following uterine transfer. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The antioxidant combination of acetyl-L-carnitine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine and α-lipoic acid present in IVF handling and embryo culture media has significant beneficial effects on mouse embryo and fetal development, especially under oxidative stress. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The study was a laboratory-based analysis of an animal model. Rapid cooling through vitrification was conducted on F1 mouse blastocysts, with antioxidants (A3) supplemented in vitrification and/or warming solutions, followed by culture and embryo transfer. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS Pronucleate oocytes were collected and cultured in groups to Day 4 blastocysts. Expanded blastocysts were vitrified and warmed in solutions with and without the A3 antioxidants and cultured for a further 24 h. Blastocyst cell number and allocation, apoptosis and histone acetylation levels were all quantified, and viability through outgrowths and transfers assessed. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Mouse blastocysts vitrified with no antioxidants had significantly lower cell numbers (P < 0.001) and higher apoptotic cells (P < 0.05) compared to non-vitrified embryos. Addition of combined A3 antioxidants to the vitrification and warming solutions resulted in a significant increase in inner cell mass cell (ICM) number (P < 0.001) and total cell number (P < 0.01), and an increase in outgrowth area (P < 0.05), which correlated with the increased fetal weight (P < 0.05), crown rump length (P < 0.05) and limb development (P < 0.05) determined following transfer compared to embryos with no antioxidants. Furthermore, while blastocyst vitrification significantly reduced acetylation levels (P < 0.05) compared to non-vitrified embryos, the inclusion of A3 antioxidants helped to ameliorate this. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Embryo development was only examined in the mouse. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Results in this study demonstrate that vitrification and warming of blastocysts have significant detrimental effects on embryo histone acetylation and subsequent viability. The presence of antioxidants in the vitrification solutions helps to alleviate the negative effects of cryopreservation. Our data indicate that antioxidants need to be present in the medium at the time of exposure to increased oxidative stress associated with vitrification and that prior exposure (i.e. during culture or IVF alone) is insufficient to protect cells against cryo-induced injury. Hence, A3 antioxidants may assist in maintaining the viability of vitrified human embryos in ART through the reduction of oxidative stress. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was funded by a research grant from Vitrolife AB (Sweden). The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi T Truong
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - David K Gardner
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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13
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A review of best practices of rapid-cooling vitrification for oocytes and embryos: a committee opinion. Fertil Steril 2020; 115:305-310. [PMID: 33358335 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The focus of this paper is to review best practices for rapid-cooling cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos. The discussion of best practices includes the types of cryoprotectants and cryo devices typically used. Key performance indicators of rapid-cooling vitrification success are defined.
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14
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Clérico G, Taminelli G, Veronesi JC, Polola J, Pagura N, Pinto C, Sansinena M. Mitochondrial function, blastocyst development and live foals born after ICSI of immature vitrified/warmed equine oocytes matured with or without melatonin. Theriogenology 2020; 160:40-49. [PMID: 33171351 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Oocyte vitrification is considered experimental in the horse with only three live foals reported. The oxidative conditions induced by vitrification could in part explain the poor results and melatonin, a powerful antioxidant, could stimulate ROS metabolization and restore mitochondrial function in these oocytes. Our objective was to determine the oxidative status of vitrified equine oocytes and to analyze the effect of melatonin on mitochondrial-specific ROS (mROS), oocyte maturation, ICSI embryo development and viability. Immature, abattoir-derived oocytes were held for 15 h and vitrified in a final concentration of 20% EG, 20% DMSO and 0.65 M trehalose. In Experiment 1, overall ROS was determined by DCHF-DA; vitrification increased ROS production compared to non-vitrified controls (1.29 ± 0.22 vs 0.74 ± 0.25 a. u.; P = 0.0156). In Experiment 2, mROS was analyzed by MitoSOX™ in vitrified/warmed oocytes matured with (+) or without (-) supplementation of 10-9 M melatonin; mROS decreased in vitrified and non-vitrified oocytes matured in presence of melatonin (P < 0.05). In Experiment 3, we assessed the effect of melatonin supplementation on oocyte maturation, embryo development after ICSI, and viability by pregnancy establishment. Melatonin did not improve oocyte maturation, cleavage or blastocyst rate of non-vitrified oocytes. However, vitrified melatonin (+) oocytes reached similar cleavage (61, 75 and 77%, respectively) and blastocyst rate (15, 29 and 26%, respectively) than non-vitrified, melatonin (+) and (-) oocytes. Vitrified, melatonin (-) oocytes had lower cleavage (46%) and blastocyst rate (9%) compared to non-vitrified groups (P < 0.05), but no significant differences were observed when compared to vitrified melatonin (+). Although the lack of available recipients precluded the transfer of every blastocyst produced in our study, transferred embryos from non-vitrified oocytes resulted in 50 and 83% pregnancy rates while embryos from vitrified oocytes resulted in 17 and 33% pregnancy rates, from melatonin (+) and (-) treatments respectively. Two healthy foals, one colt from melatonin (+) and one filly from melatonin (-) treatment, were born from vitrified/warmed oocytes. Gestation lengths (considering day 0 = day of ICSI) were 338 days for the colt and 329 days for the filly, respectively. Our work showed for the first time that in the horse, as in other species, intracellular reactive oxygen species are increased by the process of vitrification. Melatonin was useful in reducing mitochondrial-related ROS and improving ICSI embryo development, although the lower pregnancy rate in presence of melatonin should be further analyzed in future studies. To our knowledge this is the first report of melatonin supplementation to an in vitro embryo culture system and its use to improve embryo developmental competence of vitrified oocytes following ICSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Clérico
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Agrarians, Universidad Católica Argentina, 1107, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - G Taminelli
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Agrarians, Universidad Católica Argentina, 1107, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - J C Veronesi
- Frigorífico Lamar, 6600, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - J Polola
- Haras La Aguada El Dok, 6708, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, 2170, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - N Pagura
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, 2170, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - C Pinto
- Louisiana State School of Veterinary Medicine, 70808, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - M Sansinena
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Agrarians, Universidad Católica Argentina, 1107, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Louisiana State School of Veterinary Medicine, 70808, Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.
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15
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Gardner D, Zander-Fox D, Bakos HW, McPherson N, Pacella-Ince L. In memory of Michelle Lane: 1970 – 2020. Reprod Biomed Online 2020; 40:753-754. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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16
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with severe oligospermia and nonobstructive azoospermia have very limited numbers of viable sperm in their epididymal and testicular samples. Thus, cryopreservation of their sperm is performed to avoid repeated sperm retrievals and to preserve their sperm from any side effects of any treatment regimens. MAIN BODY The development of intracytoplasmic sperm injection technology has extended the therapeutic capacity of assisted reproductive technology for men with azoospermia via the surgical or percutaneous isolation of sperm from the testis/epididymis. The conventional cryopreservation techniques are inadequate for preserving individually selected sperm. The technique for freezing single sperm was first developed in 1997 and has been explored from the perspective of frozen carriers, freezing programs, and cryoprotectant formulations. Among these methods, advances in frozen carriers have directly improved single-sperm freezing technology. In this review, we evaluate the different technologies for the cryopreservation of single sperm by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of different freezing methods, their clinical applications, and the outcomes for a range of frozen carriers. CONCLUSION Our review article describes the latest and current technologies implemented for the cryopreservation of single sperm that could potentially benefit patients with severe oligospermia and who rarely have any sperm in their ejaculate. This review provides a platform to understand the process and pitfalls of single-sperm cryopreservation to ensure further improvements in the cryopreservation technology in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Liu
- grid.461863.e0000 0004 1757 9397Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 China
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XKey Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Fuping Li
- grid.461863.e0000 0004 1757 9397Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 China
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XKey Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610041 China
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17
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Uchikura A, Matsunari H, Maehara M, Yonamine S, Wakayama S, Wakayama T, Nagashima H. Hollow fiber vitrification allows cryopreservation of embryos with compromised cryotolerance. Reprod Med Biol 2020; 19:142-150. [PMID: 32273819 PMCID: PMC7138943 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to demonstrate vitrification methods that provide reliable cryopreservation for embryos with compromised cryotolerance. METHODS Two-cell stage mouse embryos and in vitro produced porcine embryos were vitrified using the hollow fiber vitrification (HFV) and Cryotop (CT) methods. The performance of these two methods was compared by the viability of the vitrified-rewarmed embryos. RESULTS Regardless of the method used, 100% of the mouse 2-cell embryos developed successfully after vitrification-rewarming into the blastocyst stage, whereas vitrification tests using porcine morulae with the HFV method produced significantly better results. The developmental rates of vitrified porcine morula into the blastocyst stage, as well as blastocyst cell number, were 90.3% and 112.3 ± 6.9 in the HFV group compared with 63.4% and 89.5 ± 8.1 in the CT group (P < .05). Vitrification tests using 4- to 8-cell porcine embryos resulted in development into the blastocyst stage (45.5%) in the HFV group alone, demonstrating its better efficacy. The HFV method did not impair embryo viability, even after spontaneous rewarming at room temperature for vitrified embryos, which is generally considered a contraindication. CONCLUSION Vitrification test using embryos with compromised cryotolerance allows for more precise determining of effective cryopreservation methods and devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayuko Uchikura
- Laboratory of Developmental EngineeringDepartment of Life SciencesSchool of AgricultureMeiji UniversityKawasakiJapan
| | - Hitomi Matsunari
- Laboratory of Developmental EngineeringDepartment of Life SciencesSchool of AgricultureMeiji UniversityKawasakiJapan
- Meiji University International Institute for Bio‐Resource Research (MUIIBR)KawasakiJapan
| | - Miki Maehara
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgerySurgical ScienceTokai University School of MedicineIseharaJapan
| | - Shiori Yonamine
- Laboratory of Developmental EngineeringDepartment of Life SciencesSchool of AgricultureMeiji UniversityKawasakiJapan
| | - Sayaka Wakayama
- Department of BiotechnologyFaculty of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of YamanashiKohuJapan
| | - Teruhiko Wakayama
- Department of BiotechnologyFaculty of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of YamanashiKohuJapan
| | - Hiroshi Nagashima
- Laboratory of Developmental EngineeringDepartment of Life SciencesSchool of AgricultureMeiji UniversityKawasakiJapan
- Meiji University International Institute for Bio‐Resource Research (MUIIBR)KawasakiJapan
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18
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Miwa A, Noguchi Y, Hosoya K, Mori Y, Sato T, Kasahara Y, Hidaka M, Hayashi H. Equivalent clinical outcome after vitrified-thawed blastocyst transfer using semi-automated embryo vitrification system compared with manual vitrification method. Reprod Med Biol 2020; 19:164-170. [PMID: 32273822 PMCID: PMC7138946 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study compared Gavi®, an automated system for the equilibration and dehydration steps of vitrification, and a manual vitrification procedure in terms of effects on clinical outcomes. METHODS The authors retrospectively compared survival rate, and clinical and perinatal outcomes after vitrified-thawed single blastocyst transfer between Gavi® (G method) in 398 cases and Cryotop® (C method) in 208 cases. RESULTS With C and G methods, survival rates were 98.6% (208/211) and 99.3% (398/401), total pregnancy rates were 34.3% (72/208) and 33.4% (133/398), and total miscarriage rates were 22.2% (16/72) and 24.8% (33/133), respectively. Among women <35 years old, pregnancy rates were 41.1% (30/73) and 40.5% (62/153) and miscarriage rates were 13.3% (4/30) and 16.1% (10/62) with C and G methods, respectively. Among women ≥35 years old, pregnancy rates were 31.1% (42/135) and 29.0% (71/245) and miscarriage rates were 28.6% (12/42) and 32.4% (23/71) with C and G methods, respectively. C and G methods showed no significant differences in any trials, including gestational age, cesarean section rate, or birthweight (P > .05 each). CONCLUSIONS Gavi® showed comparable clinical outcomes to the manual vitrification method and can be considered an alternative vitrification procedure in assisted reproductive technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuko Miwa
- Keiai Reproductive & Endosurgical ClinicWako‐shiJapan
| | - Yukiko Noguchi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Jikei University School of MedicineMinato‐kuJapan
| | - Kayo Hosoya
- Keiai Reproductive & Endosurgical ClinicWako‐shiJapan
| | - Yuusuke Mori
- Keiai Reproductive & Endosurgical ClinicWako‐shiJapan
| | - Takuma Sato
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Jikei University School of MedicineMinato‐kuJapan
| | - Yuta Kasahara
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Jikei University School of MedicineMinato‐kuJapan
| | - Miwa Hidaka
- Keiai Reproductive & Endosurgical ClinicWako‐shiJapan
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Martinez EA, Martinez CA, Cambra JM, Maside C, Lucas X, Vazquez JL, Vazquez JM, Roca J, Rodriguez-Martinez H, Gil MA, Parrilla I, Cuello C. Achievements and future perspectives of embryo transfer technology in pigs. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 54 Suppl 4:4-13. [PMID: 31625238 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Commercial embryo transfer (ET) has unprecedented productive and economic implications for the pig sector. However, pig ET has been considered utopian for decades mainly because of the requirements of surgical techniques for embryo collection and embryo deposition into recipients, alongside challenges to preserve embryos. This situation has drastically changed in the last decade since the current technology allows non-surgical ET and short- and long-term embryo preservation. Here, we provide a brief review of the improvements in porcine ET achieved by our laboratory in the past 20 years. This review includes several aspects of non-surgical ET technology and different issues affecting ET programmes and embryo preservation systems. The future perspectives of ET technology are also considered. We will refer only to embryos produced in vivo since they are the only type of embryos with possible short-term use in pig production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio A Martinez
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina A Martinez
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine (IKE), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Josep M Cambra
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Carolina Maside
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Xiomara Lucas
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jose L Vazquez
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan Maria Vazquez
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jordi Roca
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Maria Antonia Gil
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Parrilla
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina Cuello
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
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20
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Takahashi N, Harada M, Oi N, Izumi G, Momozawa K, Matsuzawa A, Tokunaga Y, Hirata T, Fujii T, Osuga Y. Preclinical validation of the new vitrification device possessing a feature of absorbing excess vitrification solution for the cryopreservation of human embryos. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2020; 46:302-309. [PMID: 31922309 DOI: 10.1111/jog.14176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIM The cryopreservation of embryos is essential for assisted reproductive technology field. The aim of the present study is to examine the efficacy and ease of use of a new vitrification device, Kitasato Vitrification System (KVS), in cryopreservation of human embryos. METHODS Human embryos at the cleavage or blastocyst stage were vitrified and warmed by KVS or Cryotop (control device). The survival of cleavage- and blastocyst-stage embryos and the developmental competence of cleavage-stage embryos were evaluated. Four individuals inexperienced in vitrification and warming embryos tested both KVS and Cryotop. The vitrification time and the detachment time of the embryos were evaluated. RESULTS At the cleavage stage, there were no significant differences in the survival rate and the development rate to the blastocyst stage between KVS and Cryotop (100 vs 96.8% and 63.3 vs 61.3%, respectively). At the blastocyst stage, there was no significant difference in the re-expansion rate between KVS and Cryotop (100 vs 88.9%). The vitrification time was shorter for KVS than Cryotop. There was no significant difference in the detachment time between KVS and Cryotop. CONCLUSION Kitasato Vitrification System is easy to operate, even for inexperienced users, and the viability of human embryos vitrified by KVS is comparable to that of Cryotop, a widely used vitrification device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozomi Takahashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miyuki Harada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nagisa Oi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gentaro Izumi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Momozawa
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, Japan
| | | | - Yukio Tokunaga
- Kyoto R&D Laboratory, Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Hirata
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Fujii
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Osuga
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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21
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Dos Santos-Neto PC, Vilariño M, Cuadro F, Barrera N, Crispo M, Menchaca A. Cumulus cells during in vitro fertilization and oocyte vitrification in sheep: Remove, maintain or add? Cryobiology 2020; 92:161-167. [PMID: 31917962 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The objective was to evaluate the developmental competence of immature and matured ovine oocytes after removing, maintaining or adding cumulus cells (CC) associated to vitrification by Cryotop method. Three experiments were performed involving 3,144 oocytes. In Experiment 1, CC were removed from immature, matured or fertilized oocytes subjected to in vitro embryo production. In Experiment 2, oocytes were vitrified either in MI or MII stage with or without CC, while a control group with CC remained unvitrified. In Experiment 3, oocytes partially denuded from CC were vitrified either in MI or MII stage, and a co-culture of fresh CC was added or not soon after warming to complete in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF), or IVF, respectively, while a control group remained unvitrified. In Experiment 1, the cleavage rate, development rate on Day 6 and blastocyst rate on Day 8 were improved when CC were maintained until the end of IVF (P < 0.05). In Experiment 2, vitrification of oocytes with enclosed CC showed a tendency to increase cleavage (P = 0.06) and improved blastocyst rate (P < 0.05). In Experiment 3, adding CC as co-culture after vitrification-warming tended to improve cleavage rate (P = 0.06) and increased hatching rate (P < 0.05). Regarding oocyte stage, vitrification of in vitro matured oocytes resulted in greater developmental competence than immature stages (P < 0.05). In conclusion, CC seems to have a relevant role for in vitro embryo development in either fresh or vitrified oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Dos Santos-Neto
- Instituto de Reproducción Animal Uruguay, Fundación IRAUy, Camino Cruz del Sur 2250, Montevideo, Uruguay; Programa de Posgrado, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la Republica, Av. Lasplaces 1550, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - M Vilariño
- Instituto de Reproducción Animal Uruguay, Fundación IRAUy, Camino Cruz del Sur 2250, Montevideo, Uruguay; Programa de Posgrado, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la Republica, Av. Lasplaces 1550, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - F Cuadro
- Instituto de Reproducción Animal Uruguay, Fundación IRAUy, Camino Cruz del Sur 2250, Montevideo, Uruguay; Programa de Posgrado, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la Republica, Av. Lasplaces 1550, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - N Barrera
- Instituto de Reproducción Animal Uruguay, Fundación IRAUy, Camino Cruz del Sur 2250, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - M Crispo
- Programa de Posgrado, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la Republica, Av. Lasplaces 1550, Montevideo, Uruguay; Unidad de Animales Transgénicos y de Experimentación, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - A Menchaca
- Instituto de Reproducción Animal Uruguay, Fundación IRAUy, Camino Cruz del Sur 2250, Montevideo, Uruguay; Programa de Posgrado, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la Republica, Av. Lasplaces 1550, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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22
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Gibbons A, Bruno-Galarraga M, Fernandez J, Gonzalez-Bulnes A, Cueto M. Vitrified embryo transfer in Merino sheep under extensive conditions. Anim Reprod 2019; 16:297-301. [PMID: 33224290 PMCID: PMC7673589 DOI: 10.21451/1984-3143-ar2018-0108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim was to evaluate pregnancy success after transfer of embryos vitrified in micropipette tips in Merino sheep under extensive conditions. A second objective was to evaluate the influence of embryo stage in such pregnancy rate. One hundred and twenty-seven embryos were rewarmed and transferred into recipient ewes. On rewarming, the embryos were placed into three-step cryoprotectant dilutions. Finally, prior to transfer to recipient females, embryos were maintained in Basic Medium for 5 min at 25ºC and were re-evaluated by morphological criteria; all degenerated embryos were eliminated. Recipient ewes (n = 150) were treated for estrus with sponges placed for 14 days and 300 IU of eCG. At embryo transfer, three experimental groups were defined: morulae transferred on Day 7, blastocysts transferred on Day 7 and blastocysts transferred on Day 8 after sponge removal. In all groups, semi-laparoscopic transfer of one rewarmed embryo per recipient was performed. Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasonography on day 28 after embryo transfer. The embryo selection rate after rewarming was higher for blastocysts (89.3% - 67/75) compared to morulae (65.9% - 60/91) (P < 0.05). Pregnancy diagnosis showed a 38.3% (23/60) of success after morula transfer on Day 7 post progestagen removal. The day of transfer showed a significant influence on pregnancy rate after blastocyst transfer (Day 8, 55.9% - 19/34 vs Day 7, 21.2% - 7/33) (P < 0.05). Blastocysts transfer on Day 8 showed the highest global efficiency (pregnancies/total embryos after rewarming) (47.5% - 19/40) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, reproductive efficiency obtained by vitrified embryo transfer allows its recommendation for embryo transfer programs under extensive conditions. The importance of considering the synchrony between the embryo age and the recipient uterus stage is emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Gibbons
- Laboratorio de Reproducción de Rumiantes Menores, INTA Bariloche, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentine
| | - Macarena Bruno-Galarraga
- Laboratorio de Reproducción de Rumiantes Menores, INTA Bariloche, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentine
| | - Jimena Fernandez
- Laboratorio de Reproducción de Rumiantes Menores, INTA Bariloche, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentine
| | | | - Marcela Cueto
- Laboratorio de Reproducción de Rumiantes Menores, INTA Bariloche, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentine
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Marsico TV, de Camargo J, Valente RS, Sudano MJ. Embryo competence and cryosurvival: Molecular and cellular features. Anim Reprod 2019; 16:423-439. [PMID: 32435286 PMCID: PMC7234140 DOI: 10.21451/1984-3143-ar2019-0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Global cattle genetic market is experiencing a change of strategy, large genetic companies, traditionally recognized in the artificial insemination field, have also begun to operate in the embryo market. Consequently, the demand for in vitro produced (IVP) embryos has grown. However, the overall efficiency of the biotechnology process remains low. Additionally, the lack of homogeneity of post-cryopreservation survival results of IVP embryos still impairing a massive dissemination of this biotechnology in the field. A great challenge for in vitro production labs is to increase the amount of embryos produced with exceptional quality after each round of in vitro fertilization. Herein, we discuss the molecular and cellular features associated with the competence and cryosurvival of IVP embryos. First, morphofunctional, cellular and molecular competence of the embryos were addressed and a relationship between embryo developmental ability and quality were established with cryosurvival and pregnancy success. Additionally, determinant factors of embryo competence and cryosurvival were discussed including the following effects: genotype, oocyte quality and follicular microenvironment, in vitro production conditions, and lipids and other determining molecules. Finally, embryo cryopreservation aspects were addressed and an embryo-focused approach to improve cryosurvival was presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thamiris V. Marsico
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, SP, Brasil.
| | - Janine de Camargo
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brasil.
| | - Roniele S. Valente
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, SP, Brasil.
| | - Mateus J. Sudano
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, SP, Brasil.
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brasil.
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24
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New idea for hair transplantation to preserve more donor hair follicles. Med Hypotheses 2019; 128:83-85. [PMID: 31203916 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2019.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Higher risk of rapid progression in alopecia or male pattern baldness was observed in men who had family history. This could result from accumulation of DHT in hair follicles. Hair follicles on frontal region are more vulnerable to DHT. With development of minimal invasive hair transplantation surgery, hair follicles transplantation could be performed from frontal or occipital region to frontal region. However, limited hair follicles remained a problem. With development of technology of vitrification, we suggested extracting hair follicles from frontal region without affecting the appearance and preserving them with vitrification when the patient was young. When alopecia progressively developed, these extracted hair follicles would increase the donor number of hair follicles used for transplantation, which could extend longer dense hair appearance.
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Momozawa K, Matsuzawa A, Tokunaga Y, Ohi N, Harada M. A new vitrification device that absorbs excess vitrification solution adaptable to a closed system for the cryopreservation of mouse embryos. Cryobiology 2019; 88:9-14. [PMID: 31034811 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Several closed vitrification devices that avoid contact with liquid nitrogen have been reported. Recently, based on the Kitasato Vitrification System (KVS), we developed the Closed-KVS, which is a closed vitrification device. The KVS is an open vitrification device that can absorb excess vitrification solution. In this study, we performed two experiments to evaluate the efficacy of the Closed-KVS as a vitrification device for the cryopreservation of mouse embryos at the blastocyst and two-cell stage. In the first experiment, the blastocysts were vitrified using either the Closed-KVS or the KVS (control device). The survival, re-expansion, and hatching rates were not significantly different between embryos vitrified using the Closed-KVS and those vitrified using the KVS. In the second experiment, we evaluated the embryonic development of the two-cell stage embryos vitrified using the Closed-KVS. There were no significant differences in the survival, blastocyst formation, or hatching rates between vitrified or non-vitrified embryos. Additionally, we evaluated the cooling and warming rates of these devices using a numerical simulation method. The cooling rates of the Closed-KVS were similar regardless of whether the outer cap was pre-cooled and were lower than those of the KVS. However, the warming rates of the Closed-KVS (irrespective of cap pre-cooling) were the same as those of the KVS (612,000 °C/min). In summary, the Closed-KVS is a novel closed vitrification device for the cryopreservation of mouse embryos at the blastocyst and two-cell stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Momozawa
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan.
| | - Atsushi Matsuzawa
- Kyoto R&D Laboratory, Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited, Kyoto, 617-8666, Japan.
| | - Yukio Tokunaga
- Kyoto R&D Laboratory, Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited, Kyoto, 617-8666, Japan.
| | - Nagisao Ohi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo University, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Miyuki Harada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo University, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
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Zhao J, Yan Y, Huang X, Sun L, Li Y. Blastocoele expansion: an important parameter for predicting clinical success pregnancy after frozen-warmed blastocysts transfer. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2019; 17:15. [PMID: 30674332 PMCID: PMC6344998 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-019-0454-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the predictive value of each individual morphological parameter: blastocoele expansion degree, inner cell mass (ICM), and trophectoderm (TE) grades on the clinical pregnancy outcome in frozen-warmed embryo transfer (FET) cycles. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study, including 1154 FET cycles receiving vitrified-warmed one or two blastocysts transfer from August 2011 through to May 2018. The correlation between blastocyst morphology parameters and clinical outcome after FET was assessed. RESULTS In the subgroup analysis based on clinical pregnancy, the patients who achieved clinical pregnancy had a significantly higher degree of blastocyst expansion (3.69 ± 0.68 vs. 3.53 ± 0.78, P = 0.000) and had a thicker endometrium (9.65 ± 1.63 vs. 9.28 ± 1.64) compared with those with non-clinical pregnancy. The logistic regression analysis showed that among the three blastocyst morphology parameters, only the blastocoele expansion degree was significantly correlated with the clinical pregnancy outcome and had ability to predict the outcome after FET cycles with one or two vitrified-warmed blastocysts transferred. Both ICM and TE stages were not associated with pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSIONS The blastocoele expansion degree may be essential for successful pregnancy and should be given priority when selecting frozen blastocyst for transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha City, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Yan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha City, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Huang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha City, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Lunquan Sun
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanping Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha City, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China.
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DATTA ANUPAM, MAJUMDER AC, BAG SADHAN, DAS SUKANTA, CHHETRI RAJNI. Evaluation of cryopreservation efficiency on embryo growth after exposing them in intracellular cryoprotectant ethylene glycol or glycerol and replacing them by trehalose. THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.56093/ijans.v88i11.85026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The present study was conducted to see whether toxicity could be reduced by replacing some of the penetrating cryoprotectant (intracellular cryoprotectant) with a disaccharide as well as finding out the optimum equilibration time in a vitrification solution before rapid cooling. Goat ovaries (1,685) were aspirated and 1,761 culturable oocytes (COC) were recovered. The recovered COCs were matured in maturation medium and evaluated on the basis of cumulus expansion. The matured oocytes were coincubated with fresh semen capacitated in TALP media, for 18 h. The inseminated oocytes were further cultured in mSOF for in vitro embryo development. The cleavage rate was 11.76% and the development rate of embryos to 4–8 and 8–16 cells morulae was 55.6% and 42.4%, respectively. In vitro produced goat embryos (132), 4–16 cell stages, were used for cryopreservation using different protocols. In protocol- 1, 2, 3 and 4, there was no survivability of embryos. In protocol- 5, 6, 7 and 8, the survivability of embryo after freezing was 10, 25, 35.7 and 72.2%, respectively. In protocol- 8, the percentage of live embryos was significantly higher than other protocols. Also it was found that the survivability rate of embryos in protocol 6 and 7 were significantly higher as compared to protocol 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. However, non-significant differences were found among protocol 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and between 6 and 7. From our results, it can be concluded that cryopreservation using 20% ethylene glycol and 0.9 M trehalose for 30 min gives significantly higher post thaw (72.2%) survivability of embryos.
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Sciorio R, Thong K, Pickering SJ. Single blastocyst transfer (SET) and pregnancy outcome of day 5 and day 6 human blastocysts vitrified using a closed device. Cryobiology 2018; 84:40-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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In-vitro development of vitrified–warmed bovine oocytes after activation may be predicted based on mathematical modelling of cooling and warming rates during vitrification, storage and sample removal. Reprod Biomed Online 2018; 36:500-507. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Abstract
Embryo cryopreservation has been used to archive mouse strains. Protocols have evolved over this time and now vary considerably in terms of cryoprotectant solution, cooling and warming rates, methods to add and remove cryoprotectant, container or carrier type, volume of cryoprotectant, the stage of preimplantation development, and the use of additional treatments such as blastocyst puncture and microinjection. The rapid cooling methods use concentrated solutions of cryoprotectants to reduce the water content of the cell before cooling commences, thus preventing the formation of ice crystals. Embryos are equilibrated with the cryoprotectants, loaded into a carrier, and then rapidly cooled (e.g., by being plunged directly into LN2 or onto a surface cooled in LN2). The rapid cooling methods eliminate the need for controlled-rate freezers and seeding procedures. However, they are much more sensitive to minor variations when performing the steps. The rapid-cooling protocol described here is suitable for use with plastic insemination straws. Because it uses relatively large volumes, it is less technically demanding than some other methods that use minivolume devices.
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31
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Chen P, Pan Y, Cui Y, Wen Z, Liu P, He H, Li Q, Peng X, Zhao T, Yu S. Insulin-like growth factor I enhances the developmental competence of yak embryos by modulating aquaporin 3. Reprod Domest Anim 2017; 52:825-835. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P Chen
- Gansu Province Livestock Embryo Engineering Research Center; College of Veterinary Medicine; Gansu Agricultural University; Lanzhou China
| | - Y Pan
- Gansu Province Livestock Embryo Engineering Research Center; College of Veterinary Medicine; Gansu Agricultural University; Lanzhou China
| | - Y Cui
- Gansu Province Livestock Embryo Engineering Research Center; College of Veterinary Medicine; Gansu Agricultural University; Lanzhou China
| | - Z Wen
- Gansu Province Livestock Embryo Engineering Research Center; College of Veterinary Medicine; Gansu Agricultural University; Lanzhou China
| | - P Liu
- Gansu Province Livestock Embryo Engineering Research Center; College of Veterinary Medicine; Gansu Agricultural University; Lanzhou China
| | - H He
- Gansu Province Livestock Embryo Engineering Research Center; College of Veterinary Medicine; Gansu Agricultural University; Lanzhou China
| | - Q Li
- Gansu Province Livestock Embryo Engineering Research Center; College of Veterinary Medicine; Gansu Agricultural University; Lanzhou China
| | - X Peng
- Gansu Province Livestock Embryo Engineering Research Center; College of Veterinary Medicine; Gansu Agricultural University; Lanzhou China
| | - T Zhao
- Gansu Province Livestock Embryo Engineering Research Center; College of Veterinary Medicine; Gansu Agricultural University; Lanzhou China
| | - S Yu
- Gansu Province Livestock Embryo Engineering Research Center; College of Veterinary Medicine; Gansu Agricultural University; Lanzhou China
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Momozawa K, Matsuzawa A, Tokunaga Y, Abe S, Koyanagi Y, Kurita M, Nakano M, Miyake T. Efficient vitrification of mouse embryos using the Kitasato Vitrification System as a novel vitrification device. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2017; 15:29. [PMID: 28438181 PMCID: PMC5404289 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-017-0249-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, the cryopreservation of embryos and oocytes is essential for assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratories worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the Kitasato Vitrification System (KVS) as a vitrification device for the cryopreservation of mouse embryos to determine whether this novel device can be adapted to the field of ART. METHODS In Experiment 1, blastocysts were vitrified using the KVS. Vitrified blastocysts were warmed and subsequently cultured for 72 h. In Experiment 2, 2-cell-stage embryos were vitrified using the KVS, and vitrified embryos were warmed and subsequently cultured for 96 h. In Experiment 3, we evaluated the in vivo developmental potential of vitrified 2-cell-stage embryos using the KVS, and in Experiment 4, we evaluated the cooling and warming rates for these devices using a numerical simulation. RESULTS In Experiment 1, there were no significant differences between the survival rates of the KVS and a control device. However, re-expanded (100%) and hatching (91.8%) rates were significantly higher for blastocysts vitrified using the KVS. In Experiment 2, there were no significant differences between the survival rates, or rates of development to the blastocyst stage, of vitrified and fresh embryos. In Experiment 3, after embryo transfer, 41% of the embryos developed into live offspring. In Experiment 4, the cooling and warming rates of the KVS were 683,000 and 612,000 °C/min, respectively, exceeding those of the control device. CONCLUSIONS Our study clearly demonstrates that the KVS is a novel vitrification device for the cryopreservation of mouse embryos at the blastocyst and 2-cell stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Momozawa
- 0000 0000 9206 2938grid.410786.cSchool of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, 034-8628 Japan
| | - Atsushi Matsuzawa
- Kyoto R&D Laboratory, Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited, Kyoto, 617-8666 Japan
| | - Yukio Tokunaga
- Kyoto R&D Laboratory, Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited, Kyoto, 617-8666 Japan
| | - Shiori Abe
- Miyake Women’s Clinic, Chiba, 266-0032 Japan
| | | | - Miho Kurita
- Miyake Women’s Clinic, Chiba, 266-0032 Japan
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Mahesh YU, Gibence HRW, Shivaji S, Rao BS. Effect of different cryo-devices on in vitro maturation and development of vitrified-warmed immature buffalo oocytes. Cryobiology 2017; 75:106-116. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Schiewe MC, Zozula S, Nugent N, Waggoner K, Borba J, Gamboa L, Whitney JB. Modified MicroSecure Vitrification: A Safe, Simple and Highly Effective Cryopreservation Procedure for Human Blastocysts. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28287560 PMCID: PMC5407698 DOI: 10.3791/54871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical embryo vitrification evolved with the development of unique vitrification devices in the 21st century and with the misconception that ultra-rapid cooling in an "open" system (i.e., direct LN2 contact) was a necessity to optimize vitrification success. The dogma surrounding the importance of cooling rates led to unsafe practices subject to technical variation and to the creation of vitrification devices that disregarded important quality-control factors (e.g., ease of use, repeatability, reliability, labeling security, and storage safety). Understanding the quality-control flaws of other devices allowed for the development of a safe, secure, repeatable, and reliable µS-VTF method aimed to minimize intra- and inter-technician variation. Equally important, it combined the availability of two existing FDA-compliant devices: 1) a 0.3-mL ionomeric resin embryo straw with internalized, dual-colored, tamper-proof labeling with repeatable weld seal potential; and 2) shortened, commonly-used, 300-µm ID sterile flexipettes to directly load the embryo(s) in order to create a highly-effective global vitrification device. Like other aseptic, closed vitrification systems (e.g., High Security Vitrification (HSV), Rapid-i, and VitriSafe) effectively used in reproductive medicine, microSecure Vitrification (µS-VTF) has proven that it can achieve high post-warming survival and pregnancy outcomes with its attention to simplicity, and reduced technical variation. Although the 0.3-mL embryo straw containing an internal hydrophobic plug was commercially replaced with a standard semen straw possessing cotton-polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) plugs, it maintained its ionomeric resin composition to ensure weld sealing. However, the cotton plugs can wick out the fluid-embryo contents of the flexipettes upon contact. A modified µS-VTF method was adapted to include an additional internal weld seal before the plug on the device loading side. The added technical step to the µS-VTF procedure has not affected its successful application, as high survival rates (> 95%) and pregnancy rates continue today.
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Cao X, Li J, Xue H, Wang S, Zhao W, Du Z, Yang Y, Yue Z. Effect of vitrification on meiotic maturation, mitochondrial distribution and glutathione synthesis in immature silver fox cumulus oocyte complexes. Theriogenology 2017; 91:104-111. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Yamanaka T, Tashima K, Takahashi R, Takashima S, Goto T, Hirabayashi M, Hochi S. Direct comparison of Cryotop ® vitrification and Bicell ® freezing on recovery of functional rat pancreatic islets. Cryobiology 2016; 73:376-382. [PMID: 27649939 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2016.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Two protocols, Bicell® freeze-thawing and Cryotop® vitrification-warming, were compared for suitability in cryopreserving rat pancreatic islets (101-150 μm in mean diameter). Immediate survival rates of post-thaw and post-warm islets (50 and 57%, respectively), assessed by FDA/PI double staining, were lower than that of fresh control islets (90%). Most of the PI-positive dead cells were detected in peripheral area of post-warm islets, and were removed after subsequent 24 h culture (survival rate; 85% vs 59% in post-thaw islets). Quantitative PCR analysis showed that Bicell® freeze-thawing compromised expression of genes relating to β-cell function (Pdx1 and Glut2), but not to one of apoptotic pathways (Bax/Bcl2 ratio). Expression of these genes was maintained in islets before and after the Cryotop® vitrification-warming. Values of stimulus index (SI) for 20 mM/3 mM glucose-stimulated insulin secretion were 6.7, 1.9 and 3.9 in fresh control, post-thaw and post-warm islets, respectively. The SI values after 24 h culture were 4.1, 1.9 and 3.1, respectively. Larger islets (>150 μm in diameter) had comparable survival rates, but lower SI values after Cryotop® vitrification-warming when compared to smaller counterparts. These results suggest that rat pancreatic islets can be cryopreserved by Cryotop® vitrification-warming rather than Bicell® freeze-thawing, without considerable loss of in vitro β-cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Yamanaka
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano, 386-8567, Japan
| | - Kazuya Tashima
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano, 386-8567, Japan
| | - Rio Takahashi
- Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano, 386-8567, Japan
| | - Seiji Takashima
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano, 386-8567, Japan; Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano, 386-8567, Japan
| | - Teppei Goto
- National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
| | - Masumi Hirabayashi
- National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan; School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
| | - Shinichi Hochi
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano, 386-8567, Japan; Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano, 386-8567, Japan.
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Yu XL, Xu YK, Wu H, Guo XF, Li XX, Han WX, Li YH. Successful vitrification of bovine immature oocyte using liquid helium instead of liquid nitrogen as cryogenic liquid. Theriogenology 2016; 85:1090-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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38
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Du QY, Wang EY, Huang Y, Guo XY, Xiong YJ, Yu YP, Yao GD, Shi SL, Sun YP. Blastocoele expansion degree predicts live birth after single blastocyst transfer for fresh and vitrified/warmed single blastocyst transfer cycles. Fertil Steril 2016; 105:910-919.e1. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Revised: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Uchikura A, Matsunari H, Nakano K, Hatae S, Nagashima H. Application of hollow fiber vitrification for cryopreservation of bovine early cleavage stage embryos and porcine morula-blastomeres. J Reprod Dev 2016; 62:219-23. [PMID: 26875691 PMCID: PMC4848581 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2015-162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel hollow fiber vitrification (HFV) method was applied to materials that have previously been difficult
to cryopreserve, thereby expanding the potential application of this method. The results showed that zona-free
porcine morulae and their isolated blastomeres remained viable even after vitrification. The rate of
development to blastocysts after vitrification was similar for zona-free and zona-intact morulae (21/23, 91.3%
for both). Vitrified blastomeres had a developmental potential equal to that of non-vitrified blastomeres
(blastocyst formation rate after reaggregation: 16/17, 94.1% for both). The HFV method was also effective for
the cryopreservation of in vitro matured/fertilized bovine embryos at the 2- to 4-cell, 8- to
16-cell and morula stages. The blastocyst formation rates of vitrified embryos (66.1–82.5%) were similar to
those of non-vitrified embryos (74.5–82.5%). These results indicate that this novel HFV method is an effective
tool for embryo cryopreservation that can enhance current practices in reproductive biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayuko Uchikura
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki 214-8571, Japan
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Kim HJ, Lee KH, Park SB, Choi YB, Yang JB. The effect of artificial shrinkage and assisted hatching on the development of mouse blastocysts and cell number after vitrification. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2015; 42:94-100. [PMID: 26473108 PMCID: PMC4604299 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2015.42.3.94] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Revised: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The goal of this study was to ascertain optimal assisted hatching (AH) method in frozen embryo transfer. We compared the effect of depending on whether mechanical or laser-AH was performed before or after the vitrification of embryo development rate and blastocyst cell numbers. Methods In order to induce superovulation, pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin followed by human chorionic gonadotropin were injected into 4- to 5-week-old female mice. 2-cell embryos were then collected by flushing out the oviducts. The Expanded blastocysts were recovered after the collected embryos were incubated for 48 hours, and were then subjected to artificial shrinkage (AS) and cross-mechanical AH (cMAH) or quarter-laser zona thinning-AH (qLZT-AH) were carried out using the expanded blastocysts before or after vitrification. After 48 hours of incubation, followed by vitrification and thawing (V-T), and blastocysts were fluorescence stained and observed. Results The rate of formation of hatched blastocysts after 24 and 72 hours of incubation was significantly higher in the AS/qLZT-AH/V-T group than in the other groups (p<0.05). The cell number of the inner cell mass was higher in AS/V-T/non-AH and AS/V-T/cMAH groups than those of others (p<0.05). In the control group, the number of trophectoderm and the total cell number were higher than in the AS-AH group (p<0.05). Conclusion The above results suggest that AS and AH in vitrification of expanded blastocysts lead to the more efficient formation of hatched blastocysts in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Jin Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Ki Hwan Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | | | | | - Jung Bo Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
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Dou R, Saunders RE, Mohamet L, Ward CM, Derby B. High throughput cryopreservation of cells by rapid freezing of sub-μl drops using inkjet printing--cryoprinting. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:3503-3513. [PMID: 26190571 DOI: 10.1039/c5lc00674k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We have successfully used inkjet printing to cryopreserve 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells and human neuroprogenitor cells (NPCs) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Sessile drops of volume 114 nl were formed by printing cell suspensions containing dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) as a cryoprotection agent (CPA) at rates in the region 100 Hz-20 kHz, from individual droplets of 380 pl. After printing and a freeze/thaw cycle (with a minimum 24 hours hold period at liquid N2 temperature), 3T3 cells showed an average viability of >90% with CPA concentration <0.8 M at all drop deposition rates. This is a significantly lower CPA concentration than normally used with conventional cryopreservation methods. Cell viability shows a small variation with the polymer substrates used, with the best results obtained using a polyimide substrate. The viability of 3T3 cells after 2 months storage at liquid nitrogen temperature was slightly reduced compared to the cells held for 24 hours but there was no significant further deterioration after 4 or 6 months storage. The viability of NPCs after an identical freeze/thaw cycle were only 55% but this is comparable with conventional cryopreservation methods that use much higher CPA concentrations. A parallel series of experiments printing cells onto substrates held at 195 K or directly into liquid N2 showed considerable variation in cell survival rate with drop deposition rate. Cell suspensions required higher levels of CPA than when printing followed by freezing. At low deposition rates a combination of DMSO and polyethylene glycol (PEG) was needed to allow cell viability after freezing. These results show that inkjet printing provides a practical high throughput method for the cryopreservation of cells with lower CPA concentrations than are required for current low volume cryopreservation methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Dou
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
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Bartolac LK, Lowe JL, Koustas G, Sjöblom C, Grupen CG. A comparison of different vitrification devices and the effect of blastocoele collapse on the cryosurvival of in vitro produced porcine embryos. J Reprod Dev 2015. [PMID: 26211782 PMCID: PMC4685218 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2015-065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the optimum conditions for vitrifying in vitro
produced day 7 porcine embryos using different vitrification devices and blastocoele collapse methods. Firstly
embryos were collapsed by micro-pipetting, needle puncture and sucrose with and without conducting
vitrification. In the next experiment, non-collapsed embryos were vitrified in an open device using either
superfine open-pulled straws (SOPS) or the CryoLoopTM system, or vitrified in a closed device using
either the CryoTipTM or Cryo BioTM’s high security vitrification system (HSV). The
post-thaw survival of embryos vitrified in the open devices did not differ significantly (SOPS: 37.3%;
CryoLoopTM: 37.3%) nor did the post-thaw survival of embryos vitrified in the closed devices
(CryoTip™: 38.5%; HSV: 42.5%). The re-expansion rate of embryos that were collapsed via micro-pipetting
(76.0%) did not differ from those that were punctured (75.0%) or collapsed via sucrose (79.6%) when
vitrification was not performed. However, embryos collapsed via sucrose solutions (24.5%) and needle puncture
(16.0%) prior to vitrification were significantly less likely to survive vitrification than the control
(non-collapsed) embryos (53.6%, P < 0.05). The findings show that both open and closed vitrification
devices were equally effective for the vitrification of porcine blastocysts. Collapsing blastocysts prior to
vitrification did not improve survival, which is inconsistent with the findings of studies in other species.
This may be due to the extremely sensitive nature of porcine embryos, and/or the invasiveness of the
collapsing procedures.
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Punyawai K, Anakkul N, Srirattana K, Aikawa Y, Sangsritavong S, Nagai T, Imai K, Parnpai R. Comparison of Cryotop and micro volume air cooling methods for cryopreservation of bovine matured oocytes and blastocysts. J Reprod Dev 2015; 61:431-7. [PMID: 26119929 PMCID: PMC4623149 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2014-163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was designed to compare the efficiency of the Cryotop method and that of two methods that employ a micro volume air cooling (MVAC) device by analyzing the survival and development of bovine oocytes and blastocysts vitrified using each method. In experiment I, in vitro-matured (IVM) oocytes were vitrified using an MVAC device without direct contact with liquid nitrogen (LN2; MVAC group) or directly plunged into LN2 (MVAC in LN2 group). A third group of IVM oocytes was vitrified using a Cryotop device (Cryotop group). After warming, vitrified oocytes were fertilized in vitro. There were no significant differences in cleavage and blastocyst formation rates among the three vitrified groups, with the rates ranging from 53.1% to 56.6% and 20.0% to 25.5%, respectively; however, the rates were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of the fresh control group (89.3% and 43.3%, respectively) and the
solution control group (87.3% and 42.0%, respectively). In experiment II, in vitro-produced (IVP) expanded blastocysts were vitrified using the MVAC, MVAC in LN2 and Cryotop methods, warmed and cultured for survival analysis and then compared with the solution control group. The rate of development of vitrified-warmed expanded blastocysts to the hatched blastocyst stage after 24 h of culture was lower in the MVAC in LN2 group than in the solution control group; however, after 48–72 h of culture, the rates did not significantly differ between the groups. These results indicate that the MVAC method without direct LN2 contact is as effective as the standard Cryotop method for vitrification of bovine IVM oocytes and IVP expanded blastocysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanchana Punyawai
- Embryo Technology and Stem Cell Research Center and School of Biotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
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An L, Chang S, Hu Y, Li Y, Xu B, Zhang F, Yang L, Presicce GA, Du F. Efficient cryopreservation of mouse embryos by modified droplet vitrification (MDV). Cryobiology 2015; 71:70-6. [PMID: 26025881 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2015.05.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Revised: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess modified droplet vitrification (MDV) for the cryopreservation of early developmental mouse embryos. Mouse embryos were equilibrated in holding solution for 3 min followed by immersion in vitrification solution for 30-45 s, and then three embryos per 3-μL vitrification droplet were directly dropped into liquid nitrogen. Vitrified embryos were warmed to examine their developmental potential both in vitro and in vivo. The results demonstrated that MDV vitrified and warmed embryos had a survival rate of 98.1-99.6% (P>0.05); however, blastocyst development post warming and culture in vitro demonstrated that vitrified 4-celled, 8-celled, 16-celled, morulae, and blastocyst embryos had significant higher developmental potentials (94.7-99.5%) than those from zygotes (9.2%) and 2-celled embryos (85.7%) (P<0.05). Compared to CryoLoop and CryoTech vitrification, MDV showed similar results with regards to rates of survival, blastocyst development, but with the higher hatching rate (76.1% vs. 64.0-67.3%) (P<0.05). Cryopreservation by MDV resulted in a similar blastocyst developmental potential in 4-celled and 16 celled embryos from ICR (94.7-99.5%), C57BL/6J (94.7-96.4%), and their crossbred F1 strain (97.9-98.9%) (P>0.05). After embryo transfer of vitrified ICR embryos from 4-celled, 16-celled, morulae and blastocyst stage, 40.7-43.7% of the embryos developed into live offspring (P>0.05), but MDV vitrification resulted in the highest birth rate (43.8%) compared to CryoLoop (38.3%) and CryoTech (35.4%) (P<0.05), when 4-celled mouse embryos were used for vitrification. Our study clearly demonstrated that MDV is the most efficient vitrification to cryopreserve embryos at least 4-celled and advanced stages, which can be used to preserve important mouse genomes from different strains and different developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyou An
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Shiwei Chang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Yeshu Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Yi Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Bowen Xu
- Lannuo Biotechnologies Wuxi Inc., Wuxi 214000, PR China
| | - Fenli Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Lan Yang
- Lannuo Biotechnologies Wuxi Inc., Wuxi 214000, PR China
| | | | - Fuliang Du
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China; Renova Life Inc., College Park, MD 20742, USA.
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Open versus closed systems for vitrification of human oocytes and embryos. Reprod Biomed Online 2015; 30:325-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2014.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Revised: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Asghar W, El Assal R, Shafiee H, Anchan RM, Demirci U. Preserving human cells for regenerative, reproductive, and transfusion medicine. Biotechnol J 2015; 9:895-903. [PMID: 24995723 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201300074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cell cryopreservation maintains cellular life at sub-zero temperatures by slowing down biochemical processes. Various cell types are routinely cryopreserved in modern reproductive, regenerative, and transfusion medicine. Current cell cryopreservation methods involve freezing (slow/rapid) or vitrifying cells in the presence of a cryoprotective agent (CPA). Although these methods are clinically utilized, cryo-injury due to ice crystals, osmotic shock, and CPA toxicity cause loss of cell viability and function. Recent approaches using minimum volume vitrification provide alternatives to the conventional cryopreservation methods. Minimum volume vitrification provides ultra-high cooling and rewarming rates that enable preserving cells without ice crystal formation. Herein, we review recent advances in cell cryopreservation technology and provide examples of techniques that are utilized in oocyte, stem cell, and red blood cell cryopreservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Asghar
- Bio-Acoustic-MEMS in Medicine (BAMM) Laboratories, Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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Fan Z, Meng Q, Bunch TD, White KL, Wang Z. Effective cryopreservation of golden Syrian hamster embryos by open pulled straw vitrification. Lab Anim 2015; 50:45-53. [PMID: 25715282 DOI: 10.1177/0023677215571654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Golden Syrian hamster embryos are difficult to cryopreserve due to their high sensitivity to cryoprotectants and in vitro handling. The objective of this study is to develop a robust open pulled straw (OPS) vitrification technique for cryopreserving hamster embryos at various developmental stages. We first systematically tested the concentrations of cryoprotectants and the exposure times of two-cell embryos to various vitrification solutions. We identified pretreatment of two-cell embryos with 10% (v/v) ethylene glycol (EG) + 10% (v/v) dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) for 30 s followed by exposure in the vitrification solution, EDFS30 (containing 15% EG + 15% DMSO), for 30 s before plunging into liquid nitrogen (two-step exposure method) as the optimal OPS vitrification protocol. We then investigated the resourcefulness of this protocol for vitrifying hamster embryos at different developmental stages. The results showed that high blastocyst rates from embryos vitrified at two-cell, four-cell, eight-cell, or morula stage (62%, 78%, 80%, or 72%, respectively), but not those verified at pronuclear (0%) or blastocyst stage (24%; P < 0.05), were achieved by this protocol. When embryos vitrified at the two-cell stage were recovered and then directly transferred to recipient females, 29% of them developed to term, a development rate not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the 40% birth rate of the unvitrified controls. In conclusion, we have developed an effective two-step OPS vitrification protocol for hamster embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Fan
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Q Meng
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - T D Bunch
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - K L White
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Z Wang
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA Auratus Bio, LLC, Canton, South Dakota, USA
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Pouget O, Scalici E, Hoa-Ferrieres A, Deutsch-Bringer S, Gala A, Dechaud H, Hamamah S. [Comparison of frozen embryo transfer outcomes at blastocyst stage according to freezing method and type of endometrial preparation]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 43:219-24. [PMID: 25708846 DOI: 10.1016/j.gyobfe.2015.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study intended to compare frozen embryo transfer (FET) outcomes at blastocyst stage according to freezing methods, slow freezing versus vitrification and according to the type of endometrial preparation. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 172 FET at blastocyst stage (day 5 or 6) were included retrospectively from April, 2007 to December, 2012. The FET outcomes from slow freezing (group 1, n=86) were compared with those from vitrification (group 2, n=86). More particularly, the survival rate after thawing, as well as implantation and pregnancy rates (clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates) were compared respectively between these two groups, after matching on women's age at freezing day, embryo number and embryo development stage for transfer. Furthermore, for each freezing method, FET outcomes were compared according to the type of endometrial preparation, i.e. natural cycle (group N) versus stimulated cycle (group S). RESULTS The survival rate as well as implantation and clinical pregnancy rates were significantly higher for FET after vitrification compared to FET after slow freezing (97% vs 85%, P<0.0001; 32% vs 20%, P=0.02; 43% vs 28%, P=0.04, respectively). By taking into account the number of transferred embryos for each group, the multiple pregnancy rate was three-fold higher in the group of FET after vitrification compared to the group of FET after slow freezing but not significantly (27.3% vs 8.3%, NS). However, FET outcomes were not affected significantly by the type of endometrial preparation whatever freezing methods. Nevertheless, the early spontaneous abortion (ESA) rate was lower in the case of embryos that were frozen by vitrification and transferred in natural cycle (group N2 vs group S2: 20% vs 47%, NS). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Our study confirms that the survival rate after thawing at blastocyst stage (day 5 or 6) is significantly improved after freezing by vitrification compared to slow freezing method. Likewise, implantation and clinical pregnancy rates are significantly increased in the case of FET at blastocyst stage when these embryos were frozen by vitrification. The results obtained by vitrification are very satisfactory but are also associated with an increased multiple pregnancy rate. Moreover, FET associated with natural or stimulated cycle does not modify significantly the outcomes of attempts, whatever the freezing method. However, the risk of ESA is reduced in the case of FET with natural cycle and after embryo vitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Pouget
- Service de gynécologie-obstétrique, hôpital Caremeau, CHU de Nîmes, place du Professeur-R.-Debré, 30029 Nîmes cedex 9, France
| | - E Scalici
- Département de biologie de la reproduction, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France; Inserm U1203, institut de médecine régénérative et biothérapie, hôpital Saint-Eloi, CHU de Montpellier, 80, avenue Augustin-Fliche, 34295 Montpellier, France; UFR de médecine, université Montpellier 1, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - A Hoa-Ferrieres
- Département de biologie de la reproduction, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - S Deutsch-Bringer
- Département de gynécologie-obstétrique, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - A Gala
- Département de biologie de la reproduction, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France; UFR de médecine, université Montpellier 1, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - H Dechaud
- Inserm U1203, institut de médecine régénérative et biothérapie, hôpital Saint-Eloi, CHU de Montpellier, 80, avenue Augustin-Fliche, 34295 Montpellier, France; UFR de médecine, université Montpellier 1, 34000 Montpellier, France; Département de gynécologie-obstétrique, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - S Hamamah
- Département de biologie de la reproduction, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France; Inserm U1203, institut de médecine régénérative et biothérapie, hôpital Saint-Eloi, CHU de Montpellier, 80, avenue Augustin-Fliche, 34295 Montpellier, France; UFR de médecine, université Montpellier 1, 34000 Montpellier, France.
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Bhat MH, Sharma V, Khan FA, Naykoo NA, Yaqoob SH, Vajta G, Khan HM, Fazili MR, Ganai NA, Shah RA. Open pulled straw vitrification and slow freezing of sheep IVF embryos using different cryoprotectants. Reprod Fertil Dev 2015; 27:1175-80. [DOI: 10.1071/rd14024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the post-thaw survival and hatching rates of sheep blastocysts using different cryoprotectants. In Experiment 1, Day 6 sheep embryos were cryopreserved by a slow freezing protocol using 10% ethylene glycol (EG), 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or a mixture of 5% EG and 5% DMSO. Hatching rates were higher in the 10% EG group than in the 10% DMSO or EG + DMSO groups (30% vs 18% and 20%, respectively). In Experiment 2, embryos were cryopreserved by open pulled straw (OPS) vitrification using either 33% EG, 33% DMSO or a mixture of 16.5% EG + 16.5% DMSO. Re-expansion and hatching rates in the EG + DMSO group (79.16% and 52.74%, respectively) were higher than those in the EG group (64.28% and 30.02%, respectively), whereas the outcomes for the DMSO group were the lowest (45.18% and 8.6%, respectively). In Experiment 3, embryos were cryopreserved by OPS vitrification using either 40% EG, 40% DMSO or a mixture of 20% EG + 20% DMSO. Re-expansion and hatching rates were highest in the EG group than in the EG + DMSO and DMSO groups (92.16% vs 76.30% and 55.84% re-expansion, respectively; and 65.78% vs 45.55% and 14.46% hatching, respectively). In conclusion, OPS vitrification was found to be more efficient for cryopreservation of in vitro-developed sheep embryos than traditional freezing.
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Arav A. Cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos. Theriogenology 2014; 81:96-102. [PMID: 24274414 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Revised: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/11/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Two hundred years have passed since the first description of supercooled water by Gey-Lussac to the recently high survival rates of embryo and oocytes after vitrification. This review discusses important milestones that have made vitrification the method of choice for oocytes and embryos cryopreservation. We will go through the first cells ever to survive low temperature exposure in the beginning of the last century, the finding of glycerol in the late 1940s and the first mouse and bovine embryos freezing in the 1970s. During the 1980s, embryo vitrification began and the time since is a tribute to the development of oocytes vitrification. Standardization and an automatic vitrification procedure are currently under development. The next evolutionary step in oocyte and embryo cryopreservation will be preserving them in the dry state at room temperature, allowing home storage for future use a reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Arav
- FertileSafe, Shlomzion Hamalca, Tel Aviv, Israel 62266.
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