1
|
Sciorio R, Tramontano L, Campos G, Greco PF, Mondrone G, Surbone A, Greco E, Talevi R, Pluchino N, Fleming S. Vitrification of human blastocysts for couples undergoing assisted reproduction: an updated review. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1398049. [PMID: 38827525 PMCID: PMC11140474 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1398049] [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: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past 40 years there has been a worldwide critical change in the field of assisted reproduction technology (ART), leading to the increased application of single blastocyst transfer, which is extremely important to avoid the risks of multiple pregnancy and associated complications for both mother and babies. Indeed, advancements in ART over the last few decades have been obtained thanks to several improvements, including ovarian stimulation, embryo culture conditions and, of course, progress in cryopreservation methods, especially with the application of vitrification. The ability to cryopreserve human embryos has improved significantly with vitrification compared to the initially adopted slow-freezing procedures. Since the introduction of vitrification, it has become the gold standard method to effectively cryopreserve human blastocysts. However, some new protocols are now being explored, such as the short warming procedure and even shorter exposure to the equilibration solution before vitrification, which seem to provide optimal results. Therefore, the main aim of the current narrative review, will be to illustrate the benefit of vitrification as an effective method to cryopreserve the human blastocyst and to illustrate new protocols and variations which in future may increase the performance of vitrification protocols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Romualdo Sciorio
- Fertility Medicine and Gynaecological Endocrinology Unit, Department Woman Mother Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luca Tramontano
- Département de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Réseau Hospitalier Neuchâtelois, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Gerard Campos
- Fertility Geisinger Medical Center, Women’s Health Fertility Clinic, Danville, PA, United States
- GIREXX Fertility Clinics, Girona-Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Anna Surbone
- Fertility Medicine and Gynaecological Endocrinology Unit, Department Woman Mother Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ermanno Greco
- Villa Mafalda, Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UniCamillus, International Medical University, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Talevi
- Dipartimento di Biologia Strutturale e Funzionale, Universita’ di Napoli ‘Federico II’, Complesso Universitario di Monte S, Napoli, Italy
| | - Nicola Pluchino
- Fertility Medicine and Gynaecological Endocrinology Unit, Department Woman Mother Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Steven Fleming
- Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li N, Dai S, Wu H, Zhang F, Song S, Guo Y, Wang S, Chang S, Zeng S. Effect of different manual puncture methods on donkey embryo before vitrification. Theriogenology 2024; 214:134-140. [PMID: 37866302 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.09.010] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The application of embryo recovery and transfer technology in the donkey industry is far lower than that of horses and cattle. Sometimes the recovered embryos could not be transferred in time, which required embryo cryopreservation. The embryo cryopreservation technology is more conducive to the preservation and transportation of recovered embryos with excellent genetic traits. However, this technique for donkey embryos is not efficient and needs further optimization. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different manual puncture methods on the viability and pregnancy rates of vitrified-thawed donkey embryos. A total of 117 donkey embryos were recovered on day 7-8 post-ovulation and were divided into four groups by random assortment. There were 28 embryos without puncture or cryopreservation (Control). 58 embryos were manually punctured using a 29G needle (VG, n = 29) or microneedle with a sharp tip of <10 μm (VM, n = 29), then vitrified in 15% EG + 15% DMSO + 0.5 M sucrose. Another 31 embryos were punctured with a microneedle and vitrified with 10% EG + 10% DMSO +0.5 M sucrose +2 mol/L proline (VMP). Both fresh embryos and vitrified-thawed embryos were incubated for 3 h (38.5 °C, 5% CO2 in air) before embryo transfer. The results showed that the embryo recovery rates on day 7.5 and 8 were higher than day 7 (P < 0.05). After incubation, dead cells were assessed and the percentages of dead cells in VM and VMP were lower than that in VG (P < 0.05), although both were higher than those in Control (P < 0.05). The pregnancy rates after 23 days post transfer were assessed and the results showed that the pregnancy rate in VG (8.0%) was lower than that in Control (41.7%), VM (24.0%) and VMP (29.6%) (P < 0.05). No pregnancies resulted from the 10 embryos with diameters ≤650 μm in VG, which lower than either VM (33.3%) or VMP (38.9%) (P < 0.05). While, there was no difference in pregnancy rates among all vitrification groups when embryos were >650 μm in diameter (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the embryo recovery rate on day 7 after ovulation was relatively low, and it was more appropriate to extend it to day 8. Microneedle puncture could reduce embryo damage and achieve a higher pregnancy rate compared with 29G needles. Proline has the potential to improve donkey embryo cryopreservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Li
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shizhen Dai
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Hao Wu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Fuyue Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shuang Song
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yajun Guo
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shiwei Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Siyu Chang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shenming Zeng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
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: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nazdikbin Yamchi N, Amjadi F, Beheshti R, Hassanpour M, Shirazi R, Tamadon A, Rahbarghazi R, Mahdipour M. Comparison the therapeutic effects of bone marrow CD144 + endothelial cells and CD146 + mesenchymal stem cells in POF rats. BIOIMPACTS : BI 2023; 13:495-504. [PMID: 38022384 PMCID: PMC10676523 DOI: 10.34172/bi.2023.27781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a challenging issue in terms of reproduction biology. In this study, therapeutic properties of bone marrow CD146+ mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and CD144+ endothelial cells (ECs) were separately investigated in rats with POI. Methods POI rats were classified into control POI, POI + CD146+ MSCs, and POI + CD144+ ECs groups. Enriched CD146+ MSCs and CD144+ ECs were directly injected into ovarian tissue (15 × 104 cells/10 μL) in relevant groups. After 4 weeks, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2) levels were measured in blood samples. Ovarian tissues were collected and subjected to Hematoxylin-Eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. The expression of angp-2, vegfr-2, smad-2, -4, -6, and tgf-β1 was studied using qRT-PCR analysis. Histopathological examination indicated an increased pattern of atretic follicles in the POI group related to the control rats (P<0.0001). Results Data indicated that injection of POI + CD146+ MSCs and CD144+ ECs in POI rats reduced atretic follicles and increased the number of normal follicles (P<0.01). Along with these changes, the content of blue-colored collagen fibers was diminished after cell transplantation. Besides, cell transplantation in POI rats had the potential to reduce increased FSH, and LH levels (P<0.05). In contrast, E2 content was increased in POI + CD146+ MSCs and POI + CD144+ ECs groups compared to control POI rats, indicating restoration of follicular function. CD144+ (smad-2, and -4) and CD146+ (smad-6) cells altered the activity of genes belonging TGF-β signaling pathway. Unlike POI + CD146+ MSCs, aberrant angiogenesis properties were significantly down-regulated in POI + CD144+ ECs related to the control POI group (P<0.05). Conclusion The transplantation of bone marrow CD146+ and CD144+ cells can lead to the restoration of ovarian tissue function in POI rats via modulating different mechanisms associated with angiogenesis and fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Farhad Amjadi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Rahim Beheshti
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shabestar Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran
| | - Mehdi Hassanpour
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Reza Shirazi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Amin Tamadon
- Percia Vista R&D Co. Shiraz, Iran
- Department for Scientific Work, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe 030012, Kazakhstan
| | - Reza Rahbarghazi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahdi Mahdipour
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yan G, Yao Y, Yang W, Lu L, Wang L, Zhao D, Zhao S. An all-37 °C thawing method improves the clinical outcomes of vitrified frozen-thawed embryo transfer: a retrospective study using a case-control matching analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2023; 307:1991-1999. [PMID: 37041370 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07029-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of different temperatures and incubation times on the clinical outcomes of FET cycles during the thawing procedure and to select a better thawing method to improve clinical outcomes. METHODS This retrospective study included 1734 FET cycles from January 1, 2020, to January 30, 2022. Embryos vitrified using a KITAZATO Vitrification Kit were thawed at 37 °C in all steps (the case group, denoted the "all-37 °C" group) or at 37 °C and then at room temperature (RT; the control group, denoted the "37 °C-RT" group), according to the kit instructions. The groups were matched 1:1 to avoid confounding. RESULTS After case-control matching, 366 all-37 °C cycles and 366 37 °C-RT cycles were included. The baseline characteristics were similar (all P > 0.05) between the two groups after matching. FET of the all-37 °C group yielded a higher clinical pregnancy rate (CPR; P = 0.009) and implantation rate (IR; P = 0.019) than FET of the 37 °C-RT group. For blastocyst transfers, the CPR (P = 0.019) and IR (P = 0.025) were significantly higher in the all-37 °C group than in the 37 °C-RT group. For D3-embryo transfers, the CPR and IR were non-significantly higher in the all-37 °C group than in the 37 °C-RT group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Thawing vitrified embryos at 37 °C in all steps with shortening wash time can enhance CPR and IR in FET cycles. Well-designed prospective studies are warranted to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of the all-37 °C thawing method.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaofeng Yan
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Youlin Yao
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Wenjuan Yang
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Ling Lu
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Longda Wang
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Di Zhao
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Shuhua Zhao
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
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: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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.
Collapse
|
7
|
Wilsher S, Rigali F, Kovacsy S, Allen WT. Successful vitrification of manually punctured equine embryos. Equine Vet J 2020; 53:1227-1233. [PMID: 33326638 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13400] [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: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Successful vitrification of equine expanded blastocysts requires collapse of the blastocoele cavity using a micromanipulator-mounted biopsy pipette on an inverted microscope. Such equipment is expensive and requires user skill. OBJECTIVES To develop a manual method of blastocoele collapse prior to vitrification using commercial products. STUDY DESIGN In vivo experiment. METHODS Seventy-nine Day 7 or 8 embryos were measured and graded. Twenty were vitrified following micromanipulator-assisted puncture and aspiration before being used to validate commercial human vitrification and warming kits containing, respectively, 2-step concentrations of DMSO and ethylene glycol (7.5%-15% v:v) and decreasing concentrations of sucrose. After warming, embryos were transferred to recipient mares. Once validated, the commercial kits were used to vitrify and warm a further 39 embryos which were punctured manually using a microneedle, 2 (5%) were damaged during puncture and excluded; 20 more embryos were vitrified without puncture. Embryos were grouped as follows: non-punctured ≤ 300µm (n = 10) and >300 to ≤560 µm (n = 10), punctured small (>300 to ≤560 µm; n = 17) and large (>560 µm; n = 10) and exposed to the equilibration solution (ES) in the kit for 6min. An additional group of punctured large embryos was exposed to ES for 8min (n = 10). For the initial warming step, embryos were exposed for 1min to the thawing solution at 42°C, before being moved to a dilution solution at room temperature. RESULTS Vitrified, manually punctured embryos ≤560 µm exposed to ES for 6min resulted in a pregnancy rate of 82% (14/17). Unpunctured embryos ≤300 µm gave an 80% (8/10) pregnancy rate. Larger unpunctured embryos, punctured embryos >560 µm and embryos exposed to ES for 8min gave significantly reduced pregnancy rates. MAIN LIMITATIONS Limited group sizes. CONCLUSION High pregnancy rates can be achieved by manually puncturing ≤560 µm equine embryos prior to their vitrification and subsequent warming in commercial media.
Collapse
|
8
|
Wilsher S, Rigali F, Kovacsy S, Allen WT. Puncture of the Equine Embryonic Capsule and Its Repair In Vivo and In Vitro. J Equine Vet Sci 2020; 93:103194. [PMID: 32972680 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Vitrification of embryos >300 µm in diameter requires puncture of the glycoprotein capsule, although the size of the hole compatible with embryo survival is unknown. Forty-five day-7 or -8 embryos were punctured using a 30-µm glass biopsy pipette mounted on a micromanipulator (n = 20) or manually with either an acupuncture needle (∼100-µm diameter -hole; n = 10) or a microneedle with a <1 µm tip to produce a ∼30-µm diameter hole (n = 15) before transferring to recipient mares; further 12 embryos were punctured with either the acupuncture needle or microneedle before being cultured in vitro for 48 hrs (n = 3 per puncture group) or transferred to recipient mares and recovered 48 hrs later (n = 3 per puncture group). No pregnancies resulted from the 10 embryos punctured with the acupuncture needle, whereas 15 of 20 (75%) and 10 of 15 (67%) punctured on the micromanipulator or manually with the microneedle resulted pregnancies. Neither acupunctured nor microneedle-punctured embryos repaired their capsules in vitro. The acupunctured embryos also failed to repair their capsule after 48 hrs in vivo and subsequent uterine flushing yielded numerous capsular vesicles. The microneedle-punctured embryos did repair their capsule in vivo. Puncture with the microneedle opens the way for development of a manual method to vitrify equine embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sofia Kovacsy
- Sharjah Equine Hospital, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Boyard J, Reignier A, Chtourou S, Lefebvre T, Barrière P, Fréour T. Should artificial shrinkage be performed prior to blastocyst vitrification? A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis. HUM FERTIL 2020; 25:24-32. [DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2019.1701205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Boyard
- IDHEO, Institut des Hautes Études Ostéopathiques, Saint-Herblain, France
- Service de Biologie et Médecine du Développement et de la Reproduction, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR 1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Arnaud Reignier
- Service de Biologie et Médecine du Développement et de la Reproduction, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR 1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Sana Chtourou
- Service de Biologie et Médecine du Développement et de la Reproduction, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction et de Cytogénétique, Hôpital Aziza Othmana, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Tiphaine Lefebvre
- Service de Biologie et Médecine du Développement et de la Reproduction, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Paul Barrière
- Service de Biologie et Médecine du Développement et de la Reproduction, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR 1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Thomas Fréour
- Service de Biologie et Médecine du Développement et de la Reproduction, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR 1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sarmadi F, Kazemi P, Tirgar P, Fayazi S, Esfandiari S, Sotoodeh L, Molaeian S, Dashtizad M. Using natural honey as an anti-oxidant and thermodynamically efficient cryoprotectant in embryo vitrification. Cryobiology 2019; 91:30-39. [PMID: 31697925 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Embryo cryopreservation is a common practice in reproductive biology and infertility treatments. Despite major improvements over years, the cryoprotectant solutions are still a major source of concern, mostly due to their chemical toxicity and suboptimal protection against cryoinjuries. In this work, we introduced natural honey as a non-permeating cryoprotectant to replace traditionally used sucrose in embryo vitrification. The proposed media were compared with conventional ones by evaluating vitrified/warmed mouse embryos based on their re-expansion, hatching rate and transcription pattern of selected genes involved in heat-shock response, apoptosis and oxidative stress. Despite the similar high re-expansion rate, molecular fingerprint of the cryopreservation is remarkably reduced when honey is used instead of sucrose. The biological response of the proposed media was explained from a fundamental point of view using antioxidant analysis, DSC and GC techniques. It was found that the proposed honey-based medium is less thermodynamically prone to ice formation, which along with its antioxidant capacity can control the production of oxygen radicals and minimize the stress-induced transcriptional response. Furthermore, this work tries to correlate the physico-chemical properties of the vitrification solutions with the cellular and molecular aspects of the cryopreservation and proposes the application of natural cryoprotectants in cryobiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Sarmadi
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (EmBio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Parinaz Kazemi
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (EmBio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pouria Tirgar
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Samaneh Fayazi
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (EmBio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Sadaf Esfandiari
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (EmBio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Sotoodeh
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (EmBio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Shiva Molaeian
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (EmBio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Dashtizad
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (EmBio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Mitsuhata S, Endo Y, Hayashi M, Fujii Y, Motoyama H. Effect on clinical and neonatal outcomes of blastocelic microsuction prior to vitrification. Reprod Med Biol 2019; 18:284-289. [PMID: 31312108 PMCID: PMC6613010 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Microsuction (MS) is a technique for mechanically emptying fluid from blastocele using a microneedle. In this study, we evaluated the improvement in clinical and neonatal outcomes of vitrified blastocyst transfer programs when MS of blastocelic fluid was used before vitrification. METHODS This was a retrospective study based on data collected between March 2014 and August 2016. A total of 317 blastocysts obtained from 211 patients were analyzed. The blastocelic fluid of expanded blastocysts was aspirated completely, and blastocysts were collapsed prior to vitrification. Clinical and neonatal outcomes of warmed blastocysts were compared. RESULTS The survival rate of the MS blastocyst was significantly higher compared with the nontreatment control (98.7% vs 89.3%, OR: 9.34, 95% CI: 2.35-36.8, P < 0.01). The rates of implantation and live birth were higher in the MS group than in the control group, but the differences were not significant. There were no differences in gestational age, birthweight, proportion of male babies, rates of cesarean section, and congenital abnormalities. CONCLUSION The MS procedure improved blastocyst survival and had little effect on further embryo development after warming.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuji Endo
- IVF CenterKurashiki Medical ClinicKurashikiJapan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Sehati R, Kazemi P, Zandi G, Mahdavinezhad F, Sarmadi F, Fayazi S, Hajarian H, Dashtizad M. Different Origin, Different Response: Gene Expression Pattern in Collapsed Vitrified Blastocyst. Reprod Biol 2019; 19:158-164. [PMID: 31196737 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2019.05.001] [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: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
There is a large body of animal experimental data about assisted reproductive techniques that could be applied to improve clinical outcomes. The great part of this information was obtained from research on in vivo-derived embryos. But whether these results are always similar with those we expect from embryos having in vitro origin in the clinical cases is a critical question. The present study was designed to compare the effects of vitrification (VIT) and artificial collapse (AC) as two commonly used techniques on in vivo- and in vitro-derived mouse embryos. In this regard, both origins of blastocysts were produced and randomly divided into three experimental groups, including control (non-vitrified), VIT, and AC-VIT. The survival and hatching rates and the expression of development-related genes were assessed in all groups and compared with their control counterpart. According to our results, although in vivo and in vitro origins followed the same pattern in the hatching rate, the real-time PCR data showed two distinct patterns of gene expression. Compared to the control, vitrification increased the expression of pluripotency genes in in vivo group. While in vitro vitrified blastocysts showed a significant reduction in the transcripts of these genes. More interestingly, although AC resulted in a sharp decrease of Gata6 and Grb2 in post warmed in vivo blastocysts, it could not affect the vitrified IVP ones. In conclusion, it seems that vitrification and artificial collapse techniques have different effects on embryo fate depending on in vivo or in vitro origins of the embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronak Sehati
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (Embio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Parinaz Kazemi
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (Embio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ghazaleh Zandi
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (Embio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Forough Mahdavinezhad
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (Embio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sarmadi
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (Embio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Samaneh Fayazi
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (Embio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hadi Hajarian
- Department of Animal Science, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Dashtizad
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory (Embio Lab), Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Mogas T. Update on the vitrification of bovine oocytes and invitro-produced embryos. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019; 31:105-117. [PMID: 32188546 DOI: 10.1071/rd18345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The combined use of reproductive technologies, such as transvaginal ovum-pick up and invitro embryo production followed by direct transfer of cryopreserved embryos, has great potential for enhancing genetic selection and optimising cross-breeding schemes in beef and dairy cattle production systems. This, along with an effective cryopreservation procedure for cow oocytes, will enable the long-term conservation of female genetic traits and the advance of embryo biotechnology in this species. However, the low fertilisation rates and developmental competence of cryopreserved oocytes still need to be improved. Over the past two decades, many research efforts tried to overcome individual features of the bovine oocyte that make it notoriously difficult to cryopreserve. In addition, pregnancy rates associated with invitro-produced (IVP) embryos remain lower than those obtained using invivo counterparts. This, together with a lack of a standard methodology for IVP embryo cryopreservation that provides easier and more practical logistics for the transfer of IVP embryos on farms, has hindered international genetic trade and the management of embryo banks. This review updates developments in oocyte and IVP embryo vitrification strategies targeting high production efficiency and better outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Mogas
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain. Email
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Frank LA, Rose RD, Anastasi MR, Tan TCY, Barry MF, Thompson JG, Brown HM. Artificial blastocyst collapse prior to vitrification significantly improves Na+/K+-ATPase-dependent post-warming blastocoel re-expansion kinetics without inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress gene expression in the mouse. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019; 31:294-305. [DOI: 10.1071/rd17500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocoel expansion during embryo development is known to be reliant on the Na+/K+-ATPase pump, but little is known about the relative contribution of active (Na+/K+-ATPase pump) and facilitated diffusion (aquaporins) water transport during blastocoel re-expansion after vitrification. The aims of this study were to examine potential effects of artificial blastocoel collapse (ABC) on markers of embryo stress and the contribution of active and facilitated diffusion water transport mechanisms to blastocoel re-expansion. Day 5 mouse embryos were vitrified using either a standard protocol, laser pulse ABC, a hyperosmotic sucrose ABC protocol or both laser pulse and sucrose. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, no differences were found in the gene expression of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers activating transcription factor 4 (Atf4) or heat shock protein 90-alpha (Hsp90α) 2h after warming. Similarly, expression of the Na+/K+-ATPase pump gene, ATPase, Na+/K+ transporting, beta 1 polypeptide (Atp1b1) and protein did not differ between groups. Aquaporin 8 (Aqp8) gene expression was significantly lower in the laser+sucrose ABC group than in fresh controls, and aquaporin 3 (Aqp3) expression significantly higher in standard vitrified embryos compared with all other groups. Ouabain, a potent and specific Na+/K+-ATPase pump inhibitor, inhibited blastocoel re-expansion in both standard protocol- and laser ABC-vitrified embryos, reducing both groups to the same rate of re-expansion 3h after warming. These results demonstrate that ABC before vitrification does not alter mRNA or protein expression of Na+/K+-ATPase, or mRNA levels of ER stress genes Atf4 and Hsp90α. Activity of the pump may be increased in ABC embryos, with potential compensation by AQP3 when it is compromised.
Collapse
|
16
|
Wilsher S, Rigali F, Couto G, Camargo S, Allen WR. Vitrification of equine expanded blastocysts following puncture with or without aspiration of the blastocoele fluid. Equine Vet J 2018; 51:500-505. [DOI: 10.1111/evj.13039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - G. Couto
- Sharjah Equine Hospital Sharjah UAE
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
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]
|
18
|
Artificial blastocoel collapse of human blastocysts before vitrification and its effect on re-expansion after warming - a prospective observational study using time-lapse microscopy. Reprod Biomed Online 2017; 36:121-129. [PMID: 29212605 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2017.10.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Vitrified human blastocysts show varied re-expansion capacity after warming. This prospective observational study compared behaviour of artificially collapsed blastocysts (study group patients, n = 69) to that of blastocysts that were vitrified without artificial collapse (control group patients, n = 72). Warmed blastocysts were monitored by time-lapse microscopy and blastocoel re-expansion speed and growth patterns compared between study and control groups. These parameters were also retrospectively compared between blastocysts that resulted in live birth and those that failed. Artificially collapsed blastocysts re-expanded on average 15.01 µm2/min faster than control blastocysts (P = 0.0013). Warmed blastocysts expressed four different patterns of blastocoel growth. The pattern showing contractions at the end of culture was observed to have a lower prevalence in control blastocysts, which coincided with the lower incidence of hatching in this group. Re-expansion speed and prevalence of growth patterns were comparable between blastocysts that did and did not result in a live birth. This was seen in the study and control groups. Despite faster re-expansion and different growth patterns of artificially collapsed blastocysts, live birth rate did not differ between groups. However, this result should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and high risk of bias.
Collapse
|
19
|
Predictive value of serum HCG concentrations in pregnancies achieved after single fresh or vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer. Reprod Biomed Online 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2017.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
20
|
Tannus S, Cohen Y, Son WY, Shavit T, Dahan MH. Cumulative live birth rate following elective single blastocyst transfer compared with double blastocyst transfer in women aged 40 years and over. Reprod Biomed Online 2017; 35:733-738. [PMID: 28826777 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2017.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This retrospective cohort study aimed to identify predictive factors for live birth following blastocyst transfer in women aged 40-43, and to compare the cumulative live birth rate (LBR) following elective single blastocyst (eSBT) and double blastocyst (DBT) transfer. The study included 411 women who had fresh blastocyst transfers on day 5. In stepwise logistic regression, independent predictive factors for live birth were: transferring fully expanded blastocysts (Gardner stage ≥3) (odds ratio [OR] 3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59-9.71) and transferring two blastocysts compared with a single blastocyst (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.08-2.9). Maternal age was not found to be significant (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.62-1.1). When comparing eSBT (n = 150) with DBT (n = 151), the DBT group achieved higher LBRs (26.5 versus 19.3%, P = 0.017) and higher multiple births (0 versus 17.5%, P = 0.02). However, the cumulative LBR was similar (28.0 versus 31.1%), with significantly lower multiple births in the eSBT group (0 versus 14.9%, P = 0.03). These results indicate that in women aged 40-43, when fully expanded blastocysts are achieved, maternal age is not a predictor for live birth, and eSBT can be performed without compromising cumulative LBRs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samer Tannus
- McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Reproductive Centre, 888 Blvd de Maisonneuve East, Suite 200, Montreal, Quebec H2L 4S8, Canada.
| | - Yoni Cohen
- McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Reproductive Centre, 888 Blvd de Maisonneuve East, Suite 200, Montreal, Quebec H2L 4S8, Canada
| | - Weon-Young Son
- McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Reproductive Centre, 888 Blvd de Maisonneuve East, Suite 200, Montreal, Quebec H2L 4S8, Canada
| | - Tal Shavit
- McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Reproductive Centre, 888 Blvd de Maisonneuve East, Suite 200, Montreal, Quebec H2L 4S8, Canada
| | - Michael-Haim Dahan
- McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Reproductive Centre, 888 Blvd de Maisonneuve East, Suite 200, Montreal, Quebec H2L 4S8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kim HJ, Yoon HJ, Jang JM, Lee WD, Yoon SH, Lim JH. Evaluation of human embryo development in in vitro fertilization- and intracytoplasmic sperm injection-fertilized oocytes: A time-lapse study. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2017; 44:90-95. [PMID: 28795048 PMCID: PMC5545225 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2017.44.2.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 04/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective We investigated whether the insemination method (in vitro fertilization [IVF] or intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI]) affected morphokinetic events and abnormal cleavage events in embryonic development. Methods A total of 1,830 normal fertilized embryos were obtained from 272 IVF and ICSI cycles that underwent ovum retrieval culture using a time-lapse system (Embryoscope) from June 2013 to March 2015. All embryos were investigated by a detailed time-lapse analysis that measured the developmental events in the hours after IVF or ICSI insemination. Results No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding clinical outcomes (p>0.05). ICSI-derived embryos showed significantly faster morphokinetics than those derived from conventional IVF, from the time to pronuclear fading to the time to 6 cells (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were found from the time to 7 cells to the time to expanded blastocyst (p>0.05). There were no differences in abnormal cleavage events between the two groups (p>0.05); they showed the same rates of direct cleavage from 1 to 3 cells, 2 multinucleated cells, 2 uneven cells, and reverse cleavage. Conclusion The morphokinetics of embryo development was found to vary between IVF- and ICSI-fertilized oocytes, at least until the 6-cell stage. However, these differences did not affect the clinical outcomes of the embryo. Additionally, no significant differences in abnormal cleavage events were found according to the fertilization method.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - San Hyun Yoon
- Fertility Research Center, Maria Medical Foundation, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Ho Lim
- Fertility Research Center, Maria Medical Foundation, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Abstract
Cryopreservation is one of the keystones in clinical infertility treatment. In particular vitrification has become a well-established and widely used routine procedure that has allowed important expansion of therapeutic strategies when IVF is used to treat infertility. Vitrification of human blastocysts allows us to maximize the potential for conception from any single in vitro fertilization cycle and prevents wastage of embryos. The technology may even be used to eliminate fresh embryo transfers for reasons of convenience, uterine receptivity, fertility preservation, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, or emergency management. In this chapter, the application of vitrification technology for cryopreserving human blastocysts will be revealed through step-by-step protocols. The results that are presented using the described protocols underscore the robustness of the vitrification technology for embryo cryopreservation.
Collapse
|
23
|
Wang C, Feng G, Zhang B, Zhou H, Shu J, Lin R, Chen H, Wu Z. Effect of different artificial shrinkage methods, when applied before blastocyst vitrification, on perinatal outcomes. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2017; 15:32. [PMID: 28446183 PMCID: PMC5406977 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-017-0252-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, single blastocyst transfer combined with vitrification has been applied widely, which can maximize the cumulative pregnancy rate in per oocyte retrieval cycles and minimize the multiple pregnancy rate. Thus, the guarantee for these is the effectiveness of vitrified blastocyst. Studies has shown that AS of the blastocoel cavity prior to vitrification can reduce injuries, increase the thawed blastocyst survival rate and implantation rate. Several AS methods have been established. However, only a few studies have compared the effectiveness and safety of these AS methods. In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and neonatal outcomes in FET cycles with single blastocyst that were artificially shrunk before vitrification by either LAS or MNAS method. METHODS A retrospective comparative study of FET cycles in infertile patients which were at our clinic between January 2013 and December 2014. These FET cycles were divided into two groups by the shrinking methods used before vitrification and the clinical and neonatal outcomes were assessed. RESULTS There were no statistically differences in blastocyst survival rates (95.40% vs 94.05%, P > 0.05) between the LAS and MNAS groups. However, compared with MNAS, LAS improved the warmed blastocyst implantation/clinical pregnancy rate (60.82% vs 54.37%, P < 0.05), live birth rate (50.43% vs 45.22%, P < 0.05) and also increased the monozygotic twin rate (4.07% vs 1.73%, P < 0.05). There were no differences in the average gestational weeks (38.83 ± 1.57 vs 38.74 ± 1.75), premature birth rate (0.30% vs 0.49%), average birth weight (3217.89 ± 489.98 g vs 3150.88 ± 524.03 g), low birth weight rate (5.60% vs 8.63%) and malformation rate (0.59% vs 0.48%) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS No significant differences in neonatal outcomes were observed, while in clinical outcomes, LAS improved the warmed blastocyst implantation/clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate markedly, there was also an increased risk of monozygotic twin pregnancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caizhu Wang
- grid.410649.eCenter of Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530003 China
| | - Guixue Feng
- grid.410649.eCenter of Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530003 China
| | - Bo Zhang
- grid.410649.eCenter of Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530003 China
| | - Hong Zhou
- grid.410649.eCenter of Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530003 China
| | - Jinhui Shu
- grid.410649.eCenter of Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530003 China
| | - Ruoyun Lin
- grid.410649.eCenter of Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530003 China
| | - Huanhua Chen
- grid.410649.eCenter of Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530003 China
| | - Zhulian Wu
- grid.410649.eCenter of Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530003 China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Lin R, Feng G, Shu J, Zhang B, Zhou H, Gan X, Wang C, Chen H. Blastocoele re-expansion time in vitrified-warmed cycles is a strong predictor of clinical pregnancy outcome. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2017; 43:689-695. [PMID: 28127833 DOI: 10.1111/jog.13257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyun Lin
- Reproductive Medicine center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital; Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Nanning China
| | - Guixue Feng
- Reproductive Medicine center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital; Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Nanning China
| | - Jinhui Shu
- Reproductive Medicine center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital; Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Nanning China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital; Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Nanning China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital; Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Nanning China
| | - Xianyou Gan
- Reproductive Medicine center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital; Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Nanning China
| | - Caizhu Wang
- Reproductive Medicine center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital; Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Nanning China
| | - Huanhua Chen
- Reproductive Medicine center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital; Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Nanning China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Laessker AN, Hardarsson T, Forsberg AS, Mukaida T, Holmes PV. Appendix G: Vitrification of Blastocysts Using VitriBlast TM and ThermoBlast TM: Nidacon. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1568:355-365. [PMID: 28421511 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6828-2_27] [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: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This appendix describes the vitrification of blastocysts using VitriBlast™ (VBK) and ThermoBlast™ (TBK) from Nidacon, Mölndal, Sweden. The technique used and the reason for not including DMSO in the medium at the production stage, but including it separately in the kit, and the importance of collapsing the blastocyst prior to vitrification will be explained and described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Niläng Laessker
- Product Development, Nidacon International AB, Flöjelbergsgatan 16b, 43137, Mölndal, Sweden.
| | | | - Ann-Sofie Forsberg
- Product Development, Nidacon International AB, Flöjelbergsgatan 16b, 43137, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Tetsunori Mukaida
- Hiroshima Hart Clinic, 5-7-10 Ohtemachi Nakaku, Hiroshima, 7300051, Japan
| | - Paul V Holmes
- Product Development, Nidacon International AB, Flöjelbergsgatan 16b, 43137, Mölndal, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Ochota M, Wojtasik B, Niżański W. Survival rate after vitrification of various stages of cat embryos and blastocyst with and without artificially collapsed blastocoel cavity. Reprod Domest Anim 2016; 52 Suppl 2:281-287. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Ochota
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences; Wrocław Poland
| | - B Wojtasik
- Department of Physicochemistry of Microorganisms; Institute of Genetics and Microbiology; University of Wroclaw; Wrocław Poland
| | - W Niżański
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences; Wrocław Poland
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Rodriguez-Purata J, Gingold J, Lee J, Whitehouse M, Slifkin R, Briton-Jones C, Copperman A, Sandler B. Hatching status before embryo transfer is not correlated with implantation rate in chromosomally screened blastocysts. Hum Reprod 2016; 31:2458-2470. [PMID: 27619770 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dew205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Revised: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do the reproductive outcomes from the transfer of fully hatched (FH) blastocysts differ from those of not fully hatched (NFH) blastocysts? SUMMARY ANSWER Biochemical pregnancy rate (BPR), implantation rate (IR), live birth rate (LBR) and early pregnancy loss (EPL) rate are similar in FH and NFH single euploid blastocyst embryo transfers. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The use of extended culture and PGS often leads to transfer of an embryo that is well developed and frequently FH from the zona pellucida. Without the protection of the zona, an FH embryo could be vulnerable to trauma during the transfer procedure. To date, no other study has evaluated the reproductive competence of an FH blastocyst transfer. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The retrospective study included 808 patients who underwent 808 cycles performed between September 2013 and July 2015 at a private academic IVF center. Of these, 436 cycles entailed transfer of a NFH blastocyst (n = 123 fresh transfer, n = 313 frozen/thawed embryo transfer (FET)) and 372 cycles entailed transfer of an FH blastocyst (n = 132 fresh, 240 FET). Fresh and FET cycles and associated clinical outcomes were considered separately. LBR was defined as the delivery of a live infant after 24 weeks of gestation. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHOD Trophectoderm biopsies were performed on Day 5 (d5) or 6 (d6) for embryos meeting morphology eligibility criteria (set at ≥3BC). Morphologic grading was determined using a modified Gardner-Schoolcraft scale prior to transfer. A single euploid embryo was selected for transfer per cycle on either the morning of d6, for fresh transfers or 5 days after progesterone supplementation for patients with transfer in an FET cycle. Embryos were classified as NFH (expansion Grade 3, 4 or 5) or FH (expansion Grade 6) cohorts. The main outcome measure was IR. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In the fresh transfer group, IR was similar between NFH and FH cycles (53.7% versus 55.3%, P = 0.99, odds ratio (OR) 0.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6-1.5). Secondary outcomes were also statistically similar between groups: BPR (65.9% versus 66.7%, OR 1.0; 95% CI: 0.6-1.6), LBR (43.1% versus 47.7%, P = 0.45, OR 1.2; 95% CI: 0.7-1.9) and EPL rate (22.8% versus 18.2%, OR 1.3; 95% CI: 0.7-2.4). After adjusting for age, BMI, endometrial thickness at the LH surge and oocytes retrieved in a logistic regression (LR) model, the hatching status remained not associated with IR (P > 0.05). In the FET cycles, IR was similar between NFH and FH cycles (62.6% versus 61.7%, OR 1.0; 95% CI: 0.7-1.5). Secondary outcomes were similar between groups: BPR (74.1% versus 72.9%, respectively, OR 1.1; 95% CI: 0.7-1.6), LBR (55.0% versus 50.0%, OR 0.8; 95% CI: 0.6-1.1) and EPL rate (18.9% versus 22.9%, respectively, OR 0.8; 95% CI: 0.5-1.2). After adjusting for age, BMI, endometrial thickness at the LH surge and oocytes retrieved in an LR model, the hatching status was not shown to be associated with implantation (P > 0.05). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Limitations include the retrospective design and data from a single institution. Additionally, the study was limited to patients that developed high-quality blastocysts suitable for biopsy. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The results suggest that FH embryos are not more fragile or less likely to implant when compared to NFH counterparts. We found no evidence of altered IR or other clinical outcomes in the transfer of FH euploid embryos. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS JG is funded by MSTP grant T32 GM007280 (NIH). No additional funding was received. There are no conflicts of interest to declare..
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Rodriguez-Purata
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, 635 Madison Ave 10th Floor, New York, NY 10022, USA
| | - Julian Gingold
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, 635 Madison Ave 10th Floor, New York, NY 10022, USA
| | - Joseph Lee
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, 635 Madison Ave 10th Floor, New York, NY 10022, USA
| | - Michael Whitehouse
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, 635 Madison Ave 10th Floor, New York, NY 10022, USA
| | - Richard Slifkin
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, 635 Madison Ave 10th Floor, New York, NY 10022, USA
| | - Christine Briton-Jones
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, 635 Madison Ave 10th Floor, New York, NY 10022, USA
| | - Alan Copperman
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, 635 Madison Ave 10th Floor, New York, NY 10022, USA.,Obstetrics, Gynecology and Re productive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Klingenstein Pavilion, 1176 Fifth Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Benjamin Sandler
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, 635 Madison Ave 10th Floor, New York, NY 10022, USA.,Obstetrics, Gynecology and Re productive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Klingenstein Pavilion, 1176 Fifth Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10029, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kazemi P, Dashtizad M, Shamsara M, Mahdavinezhad F, Hashemi E, Fayazi S, Hajarian H. Effect of blastocoel fluid reduction before vitrification on gene expression in mouse blastocysts. Mol Reprod Dev 2016; 83:735-42. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Parinaz Kazemi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology; National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB); Tehran Iran
| | - Mojtaba Dashtizad
- Department of Animal Biotechnology; National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB); Tehran Iran
| | - Mehdi Shamsara
- Department of Animal Biotechnology; National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB); Tehran Iran
| | - Forough Mahdavinezhad
- Department of Animal Biotechnology; National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB); Tehran Iran
| | - Ehsan Hashemi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology; National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB); Tehran Iran
| | - Samaneh Fayazi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology; National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB); Tehran Iran
| | - Hadi Hajarian
- Department of Animal Science; Razi University; Kermanshah Iran
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Hur YS, Ryu EK, Song SH, Yoon SH, Lim KS, Lee WD, Lim JH. A retrospective study of single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2016; 43:106-11. [PMID: 27358829 PMCID: PMC4925865 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2016.43.2.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the clinical outcomes of single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles according to the hatching status of frozen-thawed blastocysts. METHODS Frozen-thawed blastocysts were divided into three groups according to their hatching status as follows: less-than-expanded blastocyst (≤EdB), hatching blastocyst (HgB), and hatched blastocyst (HdB). The female age and infertility factors of each group were evaluated. The quality of the single frozen-thawed blastocyst was also graded as grade A, tightly packed inner cell mass (ICM) and many cells organized in the trophectoderm epithelium (TE); grade B, several and loose ICM and TE; and grade C, very few ICM and a few cells in the TE. The clinical pregnancy and implantation rate were compared between each group. The data were analyzed by either t-test or chi-square analysis. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences in average female ages, infertility factors, or the distribution of blastocyst grades A, B, and C in each group. There was no significant difference in the clinical pregnancy and implantation rate of each group according to their blastocyst grade. However, there was a significant difference in the clinical pregnancy and implantation rate between each group. In the HdB group, the clinical pregnancy and implantation rate were similar regardless of the blastocyst quality. CONCLUSION There was an effect on the clinical outcomes depending on whether the blastocyst hatched during single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer. When performing single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer, the hatching status of the frozen-thawed blastocyst may be a more important parameter for clinical outcomes than the quality of the frozen-thawed blastocyst.
Collapse
|
30
|
An L, Ling PP, Zhu X, Liu Y, Zhang F, Ma X, Xu B, Wang Y, Du Z, Yang L, Xue F, Bella A, Presicce GA, Du F. Successful Vitrification ofIn vivoEmbryos Collected from Superovulated Japanese Black Cattle (Wagyu). Reprod Domest Anim 2016; 51:255-61. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L An
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology; College of Life Sciences; Nanjing Normal University; Nanjing China
| | - PP Ling
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology; College of Life Sciences; Nanjing Normal University; Nanjing China
| | - X Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology; College of Life Sciences; Nanjing Normal University; Nanjing China
| | - Y Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology; College of Life Sciences; Nanjing Normal University; Nanjing China
| | - F Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology; College of Life Sciences; Nanjing Normal University; Nanjing China
| | - X Ma
- Lannuo Biotechnologies Wuxi Inc.; Wuxi China
| | - B Xu
- Lannuo Biotechnologies Wuxi Inc.; Wuxi China
| | - Y Wang
- Lannuo Biotechnologies Wuxi Inc.; Wuxi China
| | - Z Du
- Lannuo Biotechnologies Wuxi Inc.; Wuxi China
| | - L Yang
- Lannuo Biotechnologies Wuxi Inc.; Wuxi China
| | - F Xue
- Renova Life Inc.; College Park MA USA
| | - A Bella
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità; Rome Italy
| | | | - F Du
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology; College of Life Sciences; Nanjing Normal University; Nanjing China
- Renova Life Inc.; College Park MA USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Artificial shrinkage of blastocoel using a laser pulse prior to vitrification improves clinical outcome. J Assist Reprod Genet 2016; 33:467-71. [PMID: 26843389 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-016-0662-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Blastocysts contain a large amount of fluid in the blastocoel, which may pose a risk for ice crystal formation during vitrification. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of laser-induced artificial shrinkage of blastocoel before vitrification on clinical outcome. METHODS Patients were divided into two groups: a control group with untreated, expanded blastocysts (n = 115) and a study group with blastocoel artificially eliminated by a laser pulse prior to vitrification (n = 309). Blastocyst survival, clinical pregnancy, and implantation rates were compared. RESULT(S) The survival rate was significantly higher in the study group compared with the control group (97.3 and 74.9 %, respectively; p > 0.01). The clinical pregnancy and implantation rates of the study group were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that of the control group (clinical pregnancy, 67.2 vs. 41.1 %; implantation, 39.1 vs. 24.5 %. CONCLUSION(S) This study demonstrated that the removal of blastocoel fluid before vitrification by laser pulse of in vitro-produced human blastocysts significantly improves blastocyst survival, clinical pregnancy, and implantation rates.
Collapse
|
32
|
Artificial shrinkage of blastocysts prior to vitrification improves pregnancy outcome: analysis of 1028 consecutive warming cycles. J Assist Reprod Genet 2016; 33:461-6. [PMID: 26781264 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-016-0655-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to compare implantation, pregnancy, and delivery rates in frozen transfer cycles with blastocysts that were vitrified either with artificial shrinking (AS group) or without (NAS group). METHODS Retrospective comparative study of artificial shrinking of blastocysts prior to vitrification and frozen embryo transfer cycles in infertile patients undergoing frozen embryo transfer (FET) was done at the Humanitas Fertility Center between October 2009 and December 2013. Main outcome measure(s) were implantation (IR), pregnancy (PR), and delivery rates (DR) between the two groups. RESULTS A total of 1028 consecutive warming blastocyst transfer cycles were considered. In 580 cycles (total of 822 blastocysts), artificial shrinking was performed prior to vitrification (AS group), while in the remaining 448 cycles (total of 625 blastocysts), the artificial shrinking was not performed (NAS group). There were no differences in patient age (36.4 ± 3.7 vs. 36.3 ± 3.9) and number of embryos transferred (1.41 ± 0.49 vs. 1.38 ± 0.50) between groups. The IR, PR, and DR in the AS group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the NAS group (29.9 vs. 23.0 %, 36.3 vs. 27.9 %, and 26.5 vs. 18.1 %, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Performing AS of blastocysts prior to vitrification appears to improve implantation, pregnancy, and delivery rates probably related to a decreased risk of ultrastructural cryodamages, plausible when cryopreserving expanded blastocysts.
Collapse
|
33
|
Cryopreservation of Day 8 equine embryos after blastocyst micromanipulation and vitrification. Theriogenology 2015; 85:894-903. [PMID: 26639642 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.10.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Revised: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy rates after cryopreservation of large equine blastocyst stage embryos have remained lower than other domesticated livestock species. It is generally accepted that the embryonic capsule is the primary barrier to cryoprotectant entry into the embryo proper and techniques need to be developed to circumvent this obstacle. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop an efficient Day 8 equine embryo cryopreservation protocol through blastocyst micromanipulation and vitrification. Grade 1 and 2 embryos recovered from mares (n = 15) 8 days after ovulation were used in these experiments. In experiment 1, the effect of either one- or two-puncture treatments before aspiration of blastocoel fluid and exposure to vitrification solutions was evaluated. No difference was detected in mean embryo volume across treatment groups after exposure to vitrification solutions or after 1, 24, 48, and 72 hours of culture. Percent of embryos re-expanding at 24 hours and percent of embryos showing diameter increase at 48 and 72 hours during in vitro culture were 100%, 83%, and 75% compared with 93%, 67%, and 50% for one- and two-puncture treatment groups, respectively. Capsule loss was 25% for one-puncture and 50% for two-puncture treatment groups. In experiment 2, no difference was detected in mean embryo volume for indirect introduction (aspiration of blastocoel fluid + equilibration) and direct introduction (injection of cryoprotectant into blastocoel cavity) treatment groups, after exposure to dilution solution or to culture medium. There was no difference in mean embryo volume for the indirect and direct introduction treatment groups after 1, 24, 48, and 72 hours of culture. Percent of embryos re-expanding at 24 hours and percent of embryos showing diameter increases at 48 and 72 hours during in vitro culture were 100%, 76.9%, and 69.2%, respectively, for both treatment groups. Those embryos subjected to the direct introduction treatment had a higher (P = 0.05) percent capsule loss (70%) compared with the indirect introduction treatment group (31%). The pregnancy rate after transfer of vitrified expanded Grade 1 blastocysts using the indirect introduction method was 83% (5/6). Three pregnancies were allowed to continue to term and resulted in the birth of three healthy foals. The vitrification protocol used in this study has the potential to become a key tool for the successful cryopreservation of equine expanded blastocysts.
Collapse
|
34
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Van Landuyt L, Polyzos N, De Munck N, Blockeel C, Van de Velde H, Verheyen G. A prospective randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of artificial shrinkage (collapse) on the implantation potential of vitrified blastocysts. Hum Reprod 2015; 30:2509-18. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dev218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
36
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
[Vitrification: Principles and results]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 44:485-95. [PMID: 25869444 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgyn.2015.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Sperm and embryos cryopreservation is a commonly applied technique for several years. Recently authorized in France, vitrification tends to replace gradually the conventional technique of slow freezing, so upsetting the practices in the management of patients. It allows from now on the cryopreservation of oocytes and opens new perspectives in egg donation either still in fertility preservation. This review thus attempted to examine the contribution of vitrification in the freezing of oocytes and human embryos at various stages of development. If obviously vitrification appears as the current method of choice for the cryopreservation of oocytes as well as blastocysts, the results are less cut as regards embryos to early stages. No increase in adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes in children conceived from vitrified oocytes or embryos is noted in the literature.
Collapse
|
38
|
Zhao X, Hao H, Du W, Zhu H. Effect of vitrification on the microRNA transcriptome in mouse blastocysts. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123451. [PMID: 25853900 PMCID: PMC4390370 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitrification is commonly used in the cryopreservation of mammalian blastocysts to overcome the temporal and spatial limitations of embryo transfer. Previous studies have shown that the implantation ability of vitrified blastocysts is impaired and that microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the critical genes for embryo implantation. However, little information is available about the effect of vitrification on the miRNA transcriptome in blastocysts. In the present study, the miRNA transcriptomes in fresh and vitrified mouse blastocysts were analyzed by miRNA Taqman assay based method, and the results were validated using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Then, the differentially expressed miRNAs were assessed using the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. Overall, 760 known mouse miRNAs were detected in the vitrified and fresh mouse blastocysts. Of these, the expression levels of five miRNAs differed significantly: in the vitrified blastocysts, four miRNAs (mmu-miR-199a-5p, mmu-miR-329-3p, mmu-miR-136-5p and mmu-miR-16-1-3p) were upregulated, and one (mmu-miR-212-3p) was downregulated. The expression levels of all miRNAs measured by the miRNA Taqman assay based method and qRT-PCR were consistent. The four upregulated miRNAs were predicted to regulate 877 candidate target genes, and the downregulated miRNA was predicted to regulate 231 genes. The biological analysis further showed that the differentially expressed miRNAs mainly regulated the implantation of embryos. In conclusion, the results of our study showed that vitrification significantly altered the miRNA transcriptome in mouse blastocysts, which may decrease the implantation potential of vitrified blastocysts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueming Zhao
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Haisheng Hao
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Weihua Du
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Huabin Zhu
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, P. R. China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Abstract
Preservation of fertility is an important issue in the management of young cancer patients. Though embryo cryostorage is a well-established procedure, it can only be availed by couples. Recent studies have indicated increasing success rates with mature and immature oocyte cryopreservation. Cryostorage induces injuries on the human oocytes which can be minimized by slow freezing and vitrification. Selection of candiidates is crucial so that the most suitable technique can be offered without any delay in initiation of cancer therapy. Factors affecting suitability are age of patient, assessment of ovarian reserve, hormonal status and type and stage of neoplastic disease. Encouraging results have been obtained with oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) followed by vitrification for cryostorage. Data on the use of vitrified eggs in routine in vitro fertilization (IVF) show that pregnancy rates can be comparable to those achieved with fresh oocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharmila Dudani
- Department of Pathology, Army College of Medical Sciences, Delhi Cantonment, New Delhi, India
| | - Apurva Gupta
- Department of Gynaecology, Paras Spring Meadows Hospital, East of Kailash, New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Gala A, Ferrières A, Assou S, Monforte M, Bringer-Deutsch S, Vintejoux E, Vincens C, Brunet C, Hamamah S. [Effects of artificial shrinkage prior to vitrification in a closed system: a randomized controlled trial]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 42:772-8. [PMID: 25442824 DOI: 10.1016/j.gyobfe.2014.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of induced blastocoele shrinkage before vitrification in a closed carrier device. PATIENTS AND METHODS Prior to vitrification, blastocyst cavity was artificially shrinked by laser pulse or not treated according to a 2:1 randomized procedure. A total of 185 warming cycles from April 2011 to March 2013 have been analyzed. Clinical pregnancy rate and survival rate were compared between the two groups. The mean (±SD) women age was 33.5±5.7 years for both groups. RESULTS The pregnancy rate in the group with artificial reduction of the cavity was higher ([32/67] 47.7%) than in the control group but not significantly ([43/113] 38%). The survival rate in the artificial shrinkage group was significantly higher compared with the control group : 99% (102/103) and 91.8% (168/183) respectively (P=0.01). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This study reveals that artificial shrinkage of blastocoelic cavity by laser pulse before vitrification in a closed carrier device improves survival rate after warming.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Gala
- Institut de recherche en biothérapie, hôpital Saint-Éloi, CHU de Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; U1040, Inserm, 34000 Montpellier, France; UFR de médecine, université Montpellier-1, 34000 Montpellier, France; Service de gynécologie-obstétrique, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - A Ferrières
- Institut de recherche en biothérapie, hôpital Saint-Éloi, CHU de Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; U1040, Inserm, 34000 Montpellier, France; Service de gynécologie-obstétrique, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - S Assou
- Institut de recherche en biothérapie, hôpital Saint-Éloi, CHU de Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; U1040, Inserm, 34000 Montpellier, France; UFR de médecine, université Montpellier-1, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - M Monforte
- Service de gynécologie-obstétrique, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - S Bringer-Deutsch
- Service de gynécologie-obstétrique, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - E Vintejoux
- Service de gynécologie-obstétrique, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - C Vincens
- Service de gynécologie-obstétrique, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - C Brunet
- Service de gynécologie-obstétrique, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - S Hamamah
- Institut de recherche en biothérapie, hôpital Saint-Éloi, CHU de Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; U1040, Inserm, 34000 Montpellier, France; UFR de médecine, université Montpellier-1, 34000 Montpellier, France; Service de gynécologie-obstétrique, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Joo JK, Lee YJ, Jeong JE, Kim SC, Ko GR, Lee KS. Vitrification solution without sucrose for cryopreservation in mouse blastocysts. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2014; 41:115-9. [PMID: 25309855 PMCID: PMC4192451 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2014.41.3.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Revised: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study was designed to investigate the survival rate of vitrified mouse blastocysts depending on the presence or absence of sucrose in vitrification solution. Methods Mouse two-cell embryos were collected and cultured to blastocysts. Two vitrification solutions were prepared. The control solution was composed of 25% glycerol, 25% ethylene glycol, and 0.5 M sucrose (G25E250.5S) containing 2.5 mL glycerol, 2.5 mL ethylene glycol, 2 mL SSS, and 0.855 g sucrose in 5 mL PB1. The experimental solution was composed of 25% glycerol and 25% ethylene glycol (G25E25) and contained 2.5 mL glycerol and 2.5 mL ethylene glycol in 5 mL PB1. Artificial shrinkage was conducted by aspirating the blastocoelic fluid using an ICSI pipette. To examine the effect of sucrose in the vitrification solution on the survival rate of mouse blastocysts, the shrunken-equilibrated blastocysts were rehydrated or vitrified after being exposed to one of the two vitrification solutions. After exposure and the vitrification-thawing process, the re-expansion rate and hatching rate were evaluated after 6 hours of in vitro culture. Results The re-expansion rate of mouse blastocysts exposed to vitrification solution with and without sucrose were not different in the experimental solution (without sucrose) (98%) and the control solution (with sucrose) (92%) (p>0.05). The hatching rate was higher in the experimental solution (95%) than in the control solution (88%), but did not differ across two treatments (p>0.05). The re-expansion rate of mouse blastocysts vitrified in the control solution was 92% and 94%, respectively (p>0.05), and the hatching rate was higher in the experimental solution (90%) than in the control solution (74%) (p<0.05). Conclusion Sucrose need not be added in vitrification solution for freezing of artificially shrunken mouse blastocysts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jong Kil Joo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea
| | - Young Ju Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea
| | - Ju Eun Jeong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea
| | - Seung Chul Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea
| | - Gyoung Rae Ko
- Infertililty Center, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea
| | - Kyu Sup Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Cryopreservation of mammalian oocytes and embryos: current problems and future perspectives. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2014; 57:903-14. [DOI: 10.1007/s11427-014-4689-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2013] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
|
43
|
Min SH, Kim JW, Lee YH, Park SY, Jeong PS, Yeon JY, Park H, Chang KT, Koo DB. Forced Collapse of the Blastocoel Cavity Improves Developmental Potential in Cryopreserved Bovine Blastocysts by Slow-Rate Freezing and Vitrification. Reprod Domest Anim 2014; 49:684-692. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S-H Min
- Department of Biotechnology; College of Engineering; Daegu University; Gyeongsan Gyeongbuk Korea
| | - J-W Kim
- Department of Biotechnology; College of Engineering; Daegu University; Gyeongsan Gyeongbuk Korea
| | - Y-H Lee
- Department of Biotechnology; College of Engineering; Daegu University; Gyeongsan Gyeongbuk Korea
| | - S-Y Park
- Department of Biotechnology; College of Engineering; Daegu University; Gyeongsan Gyeongbuk Korea
| | - P-S Jeong
- Department of Biotechnology; College of Engineering; Daegu University; Gyeongsan Gyeongbuk Korea
| | - J-Y Yeon
- Department of Biotechnology; College of Engineering; Daegu University; Gyeongsan Gyeongbuk Korea
| | - H Park
- Department of Biotechnology; College of Engineering; Daegu University; Gyeongsan Gyeongbuk Korea
| | - K-T Chang
- National Primate Research Center; Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology; Ochang Chungcheongbuk-do Korea
| | - D-B Koo
- Department of Biotechnology; College of Engineering; Daegu University; Gyeongsan Gyeongbuk Korea
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Cao S, Zhao C, Zhang J, Wu X, Guo X, Ling X. Retrospective clinical analysis of two artificial shrinkage methods applied prior to blastocyst vitrification on the outcome of frozen embryo transfer. J Assist Reprod Genet 2014; 31:577-81. [PMID: 24610097 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-014-0203-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Vitrification significantly improves the rates of blastocyst survival and clinical pregnancy following frozen embryo transfer (FET). However, ice crystal formation during the freezing process reduces the blastocyst survival rate. Artificial shrinkage (AS) prior to blastocyst vitrification decreases the formation of ice crystals, increasing the blastocyst survival rate. The aim of this study was to identify an efficient AS method to improve blastocyst survival rates following vitrification. METHOD Use of the 29-gauge needle AS and Laser pulse AS methods prior to vitrification was compared in terms of the impacts on the rates of blastocyst survival in FET cycles, blastocyst hatching, clinical pregnancy after transfer, embryo implantation, abortion, gestational duration and birth weight. RESULT In total, 438 blastocysts in 219 cycles were thawed, resulting in survival of 407 (92.9 %). Of these, 213 cycles were transferred, resulting in 129 clinical pregnancies (60.6 %) and 140 successful births. There were no differences between the two methods in the rates of blastocyst survival, clinical pregnancy, embryo implantation and abortion. However, the 29-gauge needle AS group was associated with a significantly lower blastocyst hatching rate (83.6 % vs. 91.2 %), shorter average gestational duration (37.36 ± 2.34 vs. 38.06 ± 1.76), and higher premature birth rate (40.00 % vs. 21.15 %) compared with Laser pulse AS group. CONCLUSION No significant differences in the effectiveness of the two methods applied prior to blastocyst vitrification were observed before birth, while after birth, a significantly improved clinical outcome was obtained with laser pulse AS indicating that this is a more effective pre-processing method for blastocyst vitrification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanren Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproduction, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, Jiangsu Province, China
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Youssry M, Orief Y, Palapelas V, Al-Hasani S. Embryo cryopreservation: is vitrification ready to replace slow freezing? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1586/17474108.3.4.455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
46
|
Vajta G, Reichart A, Ubaldi F, Rienzi L. From a backup technology to a strategy-outlining approach: the success story of cryopreservation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1586/eog.12.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
|
47
|
Son WY, Tan SL. Comparison between slow freezing and vitrification for human embryos. Expert Rev Med Devices 2014; 6:1-7. [DOI: 10.1586/17434440.6.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
48
|
Vajta G. Vitrification in human and domestic animal embryology: work in progress. Reprod Fertil Dev 2014; 25:719-27. [PMID: 22951206 DOI: 10.1071/rd12118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2012] [Accepted: 06/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the analysis of papers published in major international journals, rapidly increasing application of vitrification is one of the greatest achievements in domestic animal and especially human embryology during the first decade of our century. This review highlights factors supporting or hampering this progress, summarises results achieved with vitrification and outlines future tasks to fully exploit the benefits of this amazing approach that has changed or will change many aspects of laboratory (and also clinical) embryology. Supporting factors include the simplicity, cost efficiency and convincing success of vitrification compared with other approaches in all species and developmental stages in mammalian embryology, while causes that slow down the progress are mostly of human origin: inadequate tools and solutions, superficial teaching, improper application and unjustified concerns resulting in legal restrictions. Elimination of these hindrances seems to be a slower process and more demanding task than meeting the biological challenge. A key element of future progress will be to pass the pioneer age, establish a consensus regarding biosafety requirements, outline the indispensable features of a standard approach and design fully-automated vitrification machines executing all phases of the procedure, including equilibration, cooling, warming and dilution steps.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Vajta
- Institute for Resource Industries and Sustainability, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Qld 4702, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Zander-Fox D, Lane M, Hamilton H. Slow freezing and vitrification of mouse morula and early blastocysts. J Assist Reprod Genet 2013; 30:1091-8. [PMID: 23888311 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-013-0056-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the relative success of morula and early blastocyst slow freezing and vitrification in regards to survival and implantation rates utilising protocols which could be clinically implemented as a viable alternative to expanded blastocyst stage freezing. METHODS Mouse morula and early blastocysts were either slow frozen/thawed or vitrified/warmed. Their subsequent survival, blastocyst development and blastocyst cell number and allocation to either the inner cell mass, trophectoderm or epiblast was assessed. In addition blastocysts were also transferred to pseudopregnant recipients and implantation and fetal development was determined. RESULTS Vitrification of both morula and early blastocysts resulted in significantly higher rates of survival and blastocyst development compared to slow freezing. In addition slow frozen early blastocysts had significantly reduced blastocyst cell number compared to control however vitrified morula and early blasocyts and slow frozen morula had equivocal blastocyst cell numbers. Transfer of blastocysts from both methods of cryopreservation resulted in similar implantation rates however the placentas created from slow frozen early blastocysts were significantly lighter than control (95.5 g ± 5.4 vs. 122.0 g ± 4.2 respectively). CONCLUSIONS Vitrification resulted in significantly higher rates of morula and early blastocyst survival and blastocyst development compared to slow freezing. In addition this study has validated the use of a closed DMSO free vitrification protocol which could then be investigated for use in the clinical setting as an alternative to expanded blastocyst freezing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deirdre Zander-Fox
- Repromed Department of R&D, 180 Fullarton Road, Dulwich, South Australia, Australia,
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Short-term storage of tripronucleated human embryos. J Assist Reprod Genet 2013; 30:1043-7. [PMID: 23820799 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-013-0036-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 06/20/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the survival and subsequent in vitro development of human cleavage stage embryos and hatched blastocysts following varying periods of short-term storage at 4 °C, using tripronucleated human embryos (TPN) as a model. METHODS TPN cleavage embryos and hatched blastocysts short-term stored at 4 °C for 0 h (control), 24 h and 48 h. The main outcome measures were: survival rates (SR) and in vitro developmental ability (blastocyst rate and blastocyst-re-expansion rate) in each of the groups after storage. RESULTS Cleavage-stage TPN survived at comparable rates to controls, regardless of storage time (average: 97.3 %). The in vitro development of cleavage-stage TPN stored for 24 h was comparable to that of controls (average 64.7 %), but was significantly impaired when storage lasted 48-h (20.8 %). After artificial shrinkage, SR was comparable in 24-h-stored and non-stored hatched blastocysts (85.7 %; p > 0.05), but was significantly impaired in the 48-h-stored group (20.0 %). Following 24-h storage, the re-expansion rate of hatched blastocysts was similar to that of controls (average: 57.1 %; p > 0.05), but was higher than that of the 48-h-stored group (15.0 %; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS TPN human cleavage embryos and blastocysts can be successfully stored short-term for up to 24 h at 4 °C without using cryoprotectants without any significant negative impact on survival or subsequent in vitro development.
Collapse
|