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Chaplia O, Mathyk BA, Nichols-Burns S, Basar M, Halicigil C. Beyond Earth's bounds: navigating the frontiers of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) in space. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2024; 22:123. [PMID: 39394617 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-024-01290-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 09/23/2024] [Indexed: 10/13/2024] Open
Abstract
As interest in deep space travel grows exponentially, understanding human adaptation in becoming an interplanetary species is crucial. This includes the prospect of reproduction. This review summarizes recent updates and innovations in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) on Earth, while also discussing current challenges and areas for improvement in adapting ART studies to the space environment. We discuss the critical components of ART - gamete handling and preparation, fertilization, embryo culture, and cryopreservation - from the daily practice perspective of clinical embryologists and reproductive endocrinologists and lay out the complicated path ahead.In vitro embryo development in low Earth orbit and beyond remains questionable due to synergetic effects of microgravity and radiation-induced damage observed in simulated and actual in-space mammalian studies. Cryopreservation and long-term storage of frozen samples face substantial obstacles - temperature limitations, lack of trained personnel, and absence of adapted cosmic engineering options. We touch on recent innovations, which may offer potential solutions, such as microfluidic devices and automated systems. Lastly, we stress the necessity for intensive studies and the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to address numerous practical challenges in advancing reproductive medicine in space, with possible implications for both space exploration and terrestrial fertility treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Chaplia
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale Fertility Center, Orange, CT, USA
| | - Begum Aydogan Mathyk
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale Fertility Center, Orange, CT, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division or Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Stephanie Nichols-Burns
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale Fertility Center, Orange, CT, USA
| | - Murat Basar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale Fertility Center, Orange, CT, USA
| | - Cihan Halicigil
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale Fertility Center, Orange, CT, USA.
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Agca Y, Amos-Landgraf J, Araiza R, Brennan J, Carlson C, Ciavatta D, Clary D, Franklin C, Korf I, Lutz C, Magnuson T, de Villena FPM, Mirochnitchenko O, Patel S, Port D, Reinholdt L, Lloyd KCK. The mutant mouse resource and research center (MMRRC) consortium: the US-based public mouse repository system. Mamm Genome 2024:10.1007/s00335-024-10070-3. [PMID: 39304538 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-024-10070-3] [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: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Now in its 25th year, the Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center (MMRRC) consortium continues to serve the United States and international biomedical scientific community as a public repository and distribution archive of laboratory mouse models of human disease for research. Supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the MMRRC consists of 4 regionally distributed and dedicated vivaria, offices, and specialized laboratory facilities and an Informatics Coordination and Service Center (ICSC). The overarching purpose of the MMRRC is to facilitate groundbreaking biomedical research by offering an extensive repertoire of mutant mice that are essential for advancing the understanding of human physiology and disease. The function of the MMRRC is to identify, acquire, evaluate, characterize, cryopreserve, and distribute mutant mouse strains to qualified biomedical investigators around the nation and the globe. Mouse strains accepted from the research community are held to the highest scientific standards to optimize reproducibility and enhance scientific rigor and transparency. All submitted strains are thoroughly reviewed, documented, and validated using extensive scientific quality control measures. In addition, the MMRRC conducts resource-related research on cryopreservation, mouse genetics, environmental conditions, and other topics that enhance operations of the MMRRC. Today, the MMRRC maintains an archive of mice, cryopreserved embryos and sperm, embryonic stem (ES) cell lines, and murine hybridomas for nearly 65,000 alleles. Since its inception, the MMRRC has fulfilled more than 20,000 orders from 13,651 scientists at 8441 institutions worldwide. The MMRRC also provides numerous services to assist researchers, including scientific consultation, technical assistance, genetic assays, microbiome analysis, analytical phenotyping, pathology, cryorecovery, husbandry, breeding and colony management, infectious disease surveillance, and disease modeling. The ICSC coordinates MMRRC operations, interacts with researchers, and manages the website (mmrrc.org) and online catalogue. Researchers benefit from an expansive list of well-defined mouse models of disease that meet the highest scientific standards while submitting investigators benefit by having their mouse strains cryopreserved, protected, and distributed in compliance with NIH policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuksel Agca
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - James Amos-Landgraf
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Renee Araiza
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences and Bioinformatics Core, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Brennan
- Department of Genetics and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Charisse Carlson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences and Bioinformatics Core, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Dominic Ciavatta
- Department of Genetics and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dave Clary
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences and Bioinformatics Core, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Craig Franklin
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Ian Korf
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences and Bioinformatics Core, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Terry Magnuson
- Department of Genetics and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Fernando Pardo-Manuel de Villena
- Department of Genetics and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Oleg Mirochnitchenko
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Office of Research Infrastructure Programs, Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - Samit Patel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences and Bioinformatics Core, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Dan Port
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences and Bioinformatics Core, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - K C Kent Lloyd
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
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3
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Collins MG, Bailey J, Tremont J, Laasch N, McDonough C, Dufault A, Martin J, Li A, Pitts S, Kontaxis E, Slifkin RE, Lee JA, Reed L, Swain JE, Schoolcraft WB, Stringfellow E, Woodhull R, Souza A. A multi-center evaluation of a novel IVF cryostorage device in an active clinical setting. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18965. [PMID: 39152173 PMCID: PMC11329509 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69877-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the function, and usability of a novel automated software-guided cryostorage system in an active IVF laboratory setting. The investigational device (ID) was installed at 3 IVF laboratories (sites: α, β, and γ). A total of 15 embryologists were trained to use the ID. Mock patient specimens containing mirrored live patient data were handled using the ID. Temperature readings were recorded every minute. Successful identification, storage, and retrieval of mock patient specimens by the ID were evaluated. To assess an LN2 pressure builder, the frequency of use and events of workflow interruption were logged. Student's t-test was used to determine statistical significance. The ID was in active use for 164 days total. During this time, 329 mock patient egg and embryo cohorts were handled by the ID. The mean ± SD temperatures during active use were: α, - 176.57 ± 1.83 °C; β, - 178.21 ± 2.75 °C; γ, - 178.98 ± 1.74 and did not differ significantly. The highest recorded temperatures were: α, - 165.14 °C; β, - 157.41 °C; γ, - 164.45 °C. A total of 1064 automation transactions on 409 specimen vessels were performed. Data was managed on 1501 eggs and embryos. The ID did not lose or misplace any specimen data or vessels, and no mock specimen was exposed to a detrimental (> - 150 °C) temperature excursion. Over the 25 LN2 pressure builder usages during 99 total days, there was 1 occurrence where usage interrupted workflow due to a lack of LN2 pressure. The ID has advantages over the current manual-based cryostorage systems, including radio frequency identification (RFID) tracking, automation of manual tasks, and software guidance to ensure accurate specimen storage and retrieval. The results of this study indicate that the ID can be integrated into active IVF laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Collins
- TMRW Life Sciences, 250 Hudson St., 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10013, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Albert Li
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stefan Pitts
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emma Kontaxis
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Joseph A Lee
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Robert Woodhull
- TMRW Life Sciences, 250 Hudson St., 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10013, USA
| | - Ashley Souza
- TMRW Life Sciences, 250 Hudson St., 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10013, USA
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Broussard A, Venier B, Rafati AS, Beltsos A, Lee J, Bailey J, Sakkas D, Collins MG. Effort in manual operation of reproductive health cryostorage facilities. Reprod Biomed Online 2024; 49:104348. [PMID: 39213986 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.104348] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION What areas of manual IVF cryostorage operations are common to the safe operation of IVF cryostorage facilities and require effort from embryologists? DESIGN Observational time and motion data were collected by two observers equipped with the digital cameras over 2 weeks at four well-characterized US IVF centres (sites α, β, γ and δ) from 12 participants performing cryostorage tasks. To understand the work processes of the different sites and assist in the data analysis, informal interviews were conducted with the study participants and laboratory directors. Data were analysed to identify work processes that might be eliminated or diminished by automation and software improvements. RESULTS On average, it took 3.4 data record queries per retrieval from cryostorage to identify a cane, while the canister was lifted an average of 1.5 times per retrieval, with a mean 11.8 ± 9.2 s per lift. Of the total time spent working with cryostorage equipment, 47.25% was of a fatiguing nature. Sites α, β and γ utilized one person to fill the liquid nitrogen storage Dewars, while site δ had two technicians working in tandem to move and fill the Dewars, with different frequencies and determination factors for refills and efficiencies. CONCLUSIONS This time and motion study demonstrated significant time investment, task redundancy and fatiguing working conditions among embryologists using manual cryostorage processes. There was a disparity of processes and space capacity across different laboratories. Some of these issues may be addressed by the integration of automation and technology solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Broussard
- TMRW Life Sciences, Inc., New York, NY, USA; Generation Next Fertility, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bill Venier
- San Diego Fertility Center, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Joseph Lee
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jessica Bailey
- Boston IVF-IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Denny Sakkas
- Boston IVF-IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, Waltham, MA, USA
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Wakayama S, Kikuchi Y, Soejima M, Hayashi E, Ushigome N, Yamazaki C, Suzuki T, Shimazu T, Yamamori T, Osada I, Sano H, Umehara M, Hasegawa A, Mochida K, Yang LL, Emura R, Kazama K, Imase K, Kurokawa Y, Sato Y, Higashibata A, Matsunari H, Nagashima H, Ogura A, Kohda T, Wakayama T. Effect of microgravity on mammalian embryo development evaluated at the International Space Station. iScience 2023; 26:108177. [PMID: 38107876 PMCID: PMC10725056 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian embryos differentiate into the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm at the 8-16 cell stage. The ICM forms a single cluster that develops into a single fetus. However, the factors that determine differentiation and single cluster formation are unknown. Here we investigated whether embryos could develop normally without gravity. As the embryos cannot be handled by an untrained astronaut, a new device was developed for this purpose. Using this device, two-cell frozen mouse embryos launched to the International Space Station were thawed and cultured by the astronauts under microgravity for 4 days. The embryos cultured under microgravity conditions developed into blastocysts with normal cell numbers, ICM, trophectoderm, and gene expression profiles similar to those cultured under artificial-1 g control on the International Space Station and ground-1 g control, which clearly demonstrated that gravity had no significant effect on the blastocyst formation and initial differentiation of mammalian embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayaka Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Kikuchi
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Mariko Soejima
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Erika Hayashi
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Natsuki Ushigome
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | | | - Tomomi Suzuki
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Tsukuba 305-8505, Japan
| | - Toru Shimazu
- Space Utilization Promotion Department, Japan Space Forum, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Tohru Yamamori
- Space Utilization Promotion Department, Japan Space Forum, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Ikuko Osada
- Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
| | - Hiromi Sano
- Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
| | - Masumi Umehara
- Advanced Engineering Services Co., Ltd, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0032, Japan
| | - Ayumi Hasegawa
- RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Keiji Mochida
- RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Li Ly Yang
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Rina Emura
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Kousuke Kazama
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Kenta Imase
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Yuna Kurokawa
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Sato
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | | | - Hitomi Matsunari
- Laboratory of Developmental Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan
- Meiji University International Institute for Bio-Resource Research (MUIIBR), Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nagashima
- Laboratory of Developmental Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan
- Meiji University International Institute for Bio-Resource Research (MUIIBR), Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Atsuo Ogura
- RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takashi Kohda
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
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6
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Wakayama S, Soejima M, Kikuchi Y, Hayashi E, Ushigome N, Hasegawa A, Mochida K, Suzuki T, Yamazaki C, Shimazu T, Sano H, Umehara M, Matsunari H, Ogura A, Nagashima H, Wakayama T. Development of a new device for manipulating frozen mouse 2-cell embryos on the International Space Station. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270781. [PMID: 36206235 PMCID: PMC9543944 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether mammalian embryos develop normally under microgravity remains to be determined. However, embryos are too small to be handled by inexperienced astronauts who orbit Earth on the International Space Station (ISS). Here we describe the development of a new device that allows astronauts to thaw and culture frozen mouse 2-cell embryos on the ISS without directly contacting the embryos. First, we developed several new devices using a hollow fiber tube that allows thawing embryo without practice and observations of embryonic development. The recovery rate of embryos was over 90%, and its developmental rate to the blastocyst were over 80%. However, the general vitrification method requires liquid nitrogen, which is not available on the ISS. Therefore, we developed another new device, Embryo Thawing and Culturing unit (ETC) employing a high osmolarity vitrification method, which preserves frozen embryos at −80°C for several months. Embryos flushed out of the ETC during thawing and washing were protected using a mesh sheet. Although the recovery rate of embryos after thawing were not high (24%-78%) and embryonic development in ETC could not be observed, thawed embryos formed blastocysts after 4 days of culture (29%-100%) without direct contact. Thus, this ETC could be used for untrained astronauts to thaw and culture frozen embryos on the ISS. In addition, this ETC will be an important advance in fields such as clinical infertility and animal biotechnology when recovery rate of embryos were improved nearly 100%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayaka Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
- * E-mail: (SW); (TW)
| | - Mariko Soejima
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Kikuchi
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Erika Hayashi
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Natsuki Ushigome
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Ayumi Hasegawa
- RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Keiji Mochida
- RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | | | - Toru Shimazu
- Space Utilization Promotion Department, Japan Space Forum, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiromi Sano
- Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masumi Umehara
- Advanced Engineering Services Co., Ltd, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hitomi Matsunari
- Laboratory of Developmental Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan
- Meiji University International Institute for Bio-Resource Research (MUIIBR), Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Atsuo Ogura
- RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nagashima
- Laboratory of Developmental Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan
- Meiji University International Institute for Bio-Resource Research (MUIIBR), Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
- * E-mail: (SW); (TW)
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7
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Yagoub SH, Lim M, Tan TCY, Chow DJX, Dholakia K, Gibson BC, Thompson JG, Dunning KR. Vitrification within a nanoliter volume: oocyte and embryo cryopreservation within a 3D photopolymerized device. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:1997-2014. [PMID: 35951146 PMCID: PMC9474789 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02589-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Vitrification permits long-term banking of oocytes and embryos. It is a technically challenging procedure requiring direct handling and movement of cells between potentially cytotoxic cryoprotectant solutions. Variation in adherence to timing, and ability to trace cells during the procedure, affects survival post-warming. We hypothesized that minimizing direct handling will simplify the procedure and improve traceability. To address this, we present a novel photopolymerized device that houses the sample during vitrification. Methods The fabricated device consisted of two components: the Pod and Garage. Single mouse oocytes or embryos were housed in a Pod, with multiple Pods docked into a Garage. The suitability of the device for cryogenic application was assessed by repeated vitrification and warming cycles. Oocytes or early blastocyst-stage embryos were vitrified either using standard practice or within Pods and a Garage and compared to non-vitrified control groups. Post-warming, we assessed survival rate, oocyte developmental potential (fertilization and subsequent development) and metabolism (autofluorescence). Results Vitrification within the device occurred within ~ 3 nL of cryoprotectant: this volume being ~ 1000-fold lower than standard vitrification. Compared to standard practice, vitrification and warming within our device showed no differences in viability, developmental competency, or metabolism for oocytes and embryos. The device housed the sample during processing, which improved traceability and minimized handling. Interestingly, vitrification-warming itself, altered oocyte and embryo metabolism. Conclusion The Pod and Garage system minimized the volume of cryoprotectant at vitrification—by ~ 1000-fold—improved traceability and reduced direct handling of the sample. This is a major step in simplifying the procedure.
Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10815-022-02589-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suliman H Yagoub
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.,School of Biomedicine, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.,Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Megan Lim
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.,School of Biomedicine, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.,Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Tiffany C Y Tan
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.,School of Biomedicine, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.,Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Darren J X Chow
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.,School of Biomedicine, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.,Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Kishan Dholakia
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, Scotland, KY16 9SS.,School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.,Department of Physics, College of Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Brant C Gibson
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.,School of Science, RMIT, Melbourne, VIC, 3001, Australia
| | - Jeremy G Thompson
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.,School of Biomedicine, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.,Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.,Fertilis Pty Ltd, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
| | - Kylie R Dunning
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia. .,School of Biomedicine, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia. .,Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.
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8
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Logsdon DM, Grimm CK, Schoolcraft WB, McCormick S, Schlenker T, Swain JE, Krisher RL, Yuan Y, Collins MG. Evaluation of the TMRW vapor phase cryostorage platform using reproductive specimens and in vitro extended human embryo culture. F&S SCIENCE 2022; 2:268-277. [PMID: 35560277 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2021.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of shipment and storage of sperm, oocytes, and blastocysts in vapor phase nitrogen compared with static storage in liquid phase nitrogen. DESIGN Prospective cohort-matched study. SETTING Multiple in vitro fertilization laboratories in an in vitro fertilization network. PATIENT(S) Fifty-eight human embryos, 32 human oocytes, 15 units of bovine semen. INTERVENTION(S) Vapor vs. liquid nitrogen. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) The postwarming survival of oocytes, sperm, and blastocysts, and the developmental potential of blastocysts during in vitro extended culture. RESULT(S) Custom-designed labware, for use with the TMRW platform, enables continuous temperature monitoring during shipment and/or storage in the vapor phase robotic storage system. The highest temperature recorded for specimens shipped to a domestic laboratory was -180.2 °C with a mean ± SD of -190.4 ± 0.5 °C during shipment and -181.1 ± 0.6 °C during storage. Likewise, specimens shipped internationally had a high of -180.2 °C with a mean ± SD of -193.5 ± 0.6 °C during shipment and -181.2 ± 0.7 °C during storage. Results from the extended culture assays have revealed no deleterious effect of shipment and storage in nitrogen vapor. The viability of mammalian gametes and embryos was equivalent between the vapor phase and liquid phase storage. CONCLUSION(S) The evaluated system did not have any deleterious effects on the postwarming survival of sperm, oocytes, and blastocysts. The postwarming developmental potential of human blastocysts during in vitro extended culture was unaffected by storage and handling in the vapor phase nitrogen TMRW platform when compared with static liquid phase nitrogen storage. Our results suggest that the vapor phase cryostorage platform is a safe system to handle and store reproductive specimens for human assisted reproductive technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deirdre M Logsdon
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine-Colorado, Lone Tree, Colorado
| | - Courtney K Grimm
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine-Colorado, Lone Tree, Colorado
| | | | - Sue McCormick
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine-Colorado, Lone Tree, Colorado
| | - Terry Schlenker
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine-Colorado, Lone Tree, Colorado
| | - Jason E Swain
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine Fertility Network, Lone Tree, Colorado
| | - Rebecca L Krisher
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine-Colorado, Lone Tree, Colorado
| | - Ye Yuan
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine-Colorado, Lone Tree, Colorado
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9
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Hasegawa A, Mochida K, Nakamura A, Miyagasako R, Ohtsuka M, Hatakeyama M, Ogura A. Use of anti-inhibin monoclonal antibody for increasing the litter size of mouse strains and its application to i-GONAD. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:605-618. [PMID: 35368067 PMCID: PMC9382380 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The litter size of mouse strains is determined by the number of oocytes naturally ovulated. Many attempts have been made to increase litter sizes by conventional superovulation regimens (e.g., using equine or human gonadotropins, eCG/hCG but had limited success because of unexpected decreases in the numbers of embryos surviving to term. Here, we examined whether rat-derived anti-inhibin monoclonal antibodies (AIMAs) could be used for this purpose. When C57BL/6 female mice were treated with an AIMA and mated, the number of healthy offspring per mouse increased by 1.4-fold (11.9 vs. 8.6 in controls). By contrast, treatment with eCG/hCG or anti-inhibin serum resulted in fewer offspring than in nontreated controls. The overall efficiency of production based on all females treated (including nonpregnant ones) was improved 2.4 times with AIMA compared with nontreated controls. The AIMA treatment was also effective in ICR mice, increasing the litter size from 15.3 to 21.2 pups. We then applied this technique to an in vivo genome-editing method (improved genome-editing via oviductal nucleic acid delivery, i-GONAD) to produce C57BL/6 mice deficient for tyrosinase. The mean litter size following i-GONAD increased from 4.8 to 7.3 after the AIMA treatment and genetic modifications were confirmed in 80/88 (91%) of the offspring. Thus, AIMA treatment is a promising method for increasing the litter size of mice and may be applied for the easy proliferation of mouse colonies as well as in vivo genetic manipulation, especially when the mouse strains are sensitive to handling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Hasegawa
- RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Keiji Mochida
- RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Ayaka Nakamura
- Support Center for Medical Research and Education, Tokai University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Rico Miyagasako
- Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Masato Ohtsuka
- Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Kanagawa Japan
- The Institute of Medical Sciences, Tokai University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | - Atsuo Ogura
- RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, Japan
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10
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Hayashi E, Wakayama S, Ito D, Hasegawa A, Mochida K, Ooga M, Ogura A, Wakayama T. Mouse in vivo-derived late 2-cell embryos have higher developmental competence after high osmolality vitrification and -80°C preservation than IVF or ICSI embryos. J Reprod Dev 2022; 68:118-124. [PMID: 34980785 PMCID: PMC8979799 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2021-115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian embryos are most commonly cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen; however, liquid nitrogen is not available in special environments, such as the International Space Station (ISS), and
vitrified embryos must be stored at −80°C. Recently, the high osmolarity vitrification (HOV) method was developed to cryopreserve mouse 2-cell stage embryos at −80°C; however, the
appropriate embryo is currently unknown. In this study, we compared the vitrification resistance of in vivo-derived, in vitro fertilization (IVF)-derived,
and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-derived mouse 2-cell embryos against cryopreservation at −80°C. The ICSI embryos had lower survival rates after warming and significantly lower
developmental rates than the in vivo and IVF embryos. Further, IVF embryos had a lower survival rate after warming, but a similar rate to the in vivo
embryos to full-term development. This result was confirmed by simultaneous vitrification of in vivo and IVF embryos in the same cryotube using identifiable green
fluorescent protein-expressing embryos. We also evaluated the collection timing of the in vivo embryos from the oviduct and found that late 2-cell embryos had higher
survival and developmental rates to full-term than early 2-cell embryos. Some early 2-cell embryos remained in the S-phase, whereas most late 2-cell embryos were in the G2-phase, which may
have affected the tolerance to embryo vitrification. In conclusion, when embryos must be cryopreserved under restricted conditions, such as the ISS, in vivo fertilized
embryos collected at the late 2-cell stage without long culture should be employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Hayashi
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Sayaka Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Daiyu Ito
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Ayumi Hasegawa
- RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Keiji Mochida
- RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Ooga
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Atsuo Ogura
- RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Wakayama
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.,Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
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11
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Amos-Landgraf J, Franklin C, Godfrey V, Grieder F, Grimsrud K, Korf I, Lutz C, Magnuson T, Mirochnitchenko O, Patel S, Reinholdt L, Lloyd KCK. The Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center (MMRRC): the NIH-supported National Public Repository and Distribution Archive of Mutant Mouse Models in the USA. Mamm Genome 2022; 33:203-212. [PMID: 34313795 PMCID: PMC8314026 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-021-09894-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center (MMRRC) Program is the pre-eminent public national mutant mouse repository and distribution archive in the USA, serving as a national resource of mutant mice available to the global scientific community for biomedical research. Established more than two decades ago with grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the MMRRC Program supports a Consortium of regionally distributed and dedicated vivaria, laboratories, and offices (Centers) and an Informatics Coordination and Service Center (ICSC) at three academic teaching and research universities and one non-profit genetic research institution. The MMRRC Program accepts the submission of unique, scientifically rigorous, and experimentally valuable genetically altered and other mouse models donated by academic and commercial scientists and organizations for deposition, maintenance, preservation, and dissemination to scientists upon request. The four Centers maintain an archive of nearly 60,000 mutant alleles as live mice, frozen germplasm, and/or embryonic stem (ES) cells. Since its inception, the Centers have fulfilled 13,184 orders for mutant mouse models from 9591 scientists at 6626 institutions around the globe. Centers also provide numerous services that facilitate using mutant mouse models obtained from the MMRRC, including genetic assays, microbiome analysis, analytical phenotyping and pathology, cryorecovery, mouse husbandry, infectious disease surveillance and diagnosis, and disease modeling. The ICSC coordinates activities between the Centers, manages the website (mmrrc.org) and online catalog, and conducts communication, outreach, and education to the research community. Centers preserve, secure, and protect mutant mouse lines in perpetuity, promote rigor and reproducibility in scientific experiments using mice, provide experiential training and consultation in the responsible use of mice in research, and pursue cutting edge technologies to advance biomedical studies using mice to improve human health. Researchers benefit from an expansive list of well-defined mouse models of disease that meet the highest standards of rigor and reproducibility, while donating investigators benefit by having their mouse lines preserved, protected, and distributed in compliance with NIH policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Amos-Landgraf
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Craig Franklin
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Virginia Godfrey
- Department of Genetics and Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Univeristy of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Franziska Grieder
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Office of Research Infrastructure Programs, Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Ian Korf
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences and Bioinformatics Core, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Cat Lutz
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
| | - Terry Magnuson
- Department of Genetics and Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Univeristy of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Oleg Mirochnitchenko
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Office of Research Infrastructure Programs, Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Samit Patel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences and Bioinformatics Core, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - K C Kent Lloyd
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
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12
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Kikuchi Y, Wakayama S, Ito D, Ooga M, Wakayama T. Optimised CO2-containing medium for in vitro culture and transportation of mouse preimplantation embryos without CO2 incubator. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260645. [PMID: 34941870 PMCID: PMC8699615 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional in vitro culture and manipulation of mouse embryos require a CO2 incubator, which not only increases the cost of performing experiments but also hampers the transport of embryos to the other laboratories. In this study, we established and tested a new CO2 incubator-free embryo culture system and transported embryos using this system. Using an Anaero pouch, which is a CO2 gas-generating agent, to increase the CO2 partial pressure of CZB medium to 4%–5%, 2-cell embryos were cultured to the blastocyst stage in a sealed tube without a CO2 incubator at 37°C. Further, the developmental rate to blastocyst and full-term development after embryo transfer were comparable with those of usual culture method using a CO2 incubator (blastocyst rate: 97% versus 95%, respectively; offspring rate: 30% versus 35%, respectively). Furthermore, using a thermal bottle, embryos were reliably cultured using this system for up to 2 days at room temperature, and live offspring were obtained from embryos transported in this simple and very low-cost manner without reducing the offspring rate (thermal bottle: 26.2% versus CO2 incubator: 34.3%). This study demonstrates that CO2 incubators are not essential for embryo culture and transportation and that this system provides a useful, low-cost alternative for mouse embryo culture and manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuyuki Kikuchi
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
| | - Sayaka Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
| | - Daiyu Ito
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Ooga
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
- * E-mail:
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13
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Qiu J, Hasegawa A, Mochida K, Ogura A, Koshimoto C, Matsukawa K, Edashige K. Equilibrium vitrification of mouse embryos using low concentrations of cryoprotectants. Cryobiology 2020; 98:127-133. [PMID: 33285110 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2020.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Previously, we developed a method for vitrification of mouse embryos in a near-equilibrium state using EFS35c, PB1 medium containing 35% (v/v) ethylene glycol, and 0.98 M sucrose. This method has advantages in both slow freezing and vitrification. However, since the vitrification solution in this method contains high concentrations of cryoprotectants and thus has high osmolality, the solution would injure oocytes and embryos with high sensitivity to chemical toxicity and high osmolality. In this study, we examined whether embryos could be vitrified in a near-equilibrium state using a solution containing low concentrations of cryoprotectants and thus with low osmolality. To investigate whether embryos were vitrified in a near-equilibrium state, 2-cell mouse embryos were vitrified with EDFS10/10a, PB1 medium containing 10% (v/v) ethylene glycol, 10% (v/v) DMSO, and 0.4 M sucrose, in liquid nitrogen, stored at -80 °C for 4-28 days, and warmed in water at 25 °C. The viability of the embryos was evaluated by the appearance of embryos after warming and developmental ability. When embryos were vitrified in liquid nitrogen using EDFS10/10a, the survival and developmental ability into blastocysts after storage at -80 °C for 7 days were high, indicating that embryos were vitrified in a near-equilibrium state. A high proportion of embryos vitrified with EDFS10/10a developed to term after transportation with dry ice, re-cooling in liquid nitrogen, and transfer to recipients. Therefore, new equilibrium vitrification developed in this study may be useful for oocytes and embryos that are highly sensitive to the toxicity of cryoprotectants and high osmolality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Qiu
- Laboratory of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan
| | - Ayumi Hasegawa
- RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0074, Japan
| | - Keiji Mochida
- RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0074, Japan
| | - Atsuo Ogura
- RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0074, Japan
| | - Chihiro Koshimoto
- Frontier Science Research Center, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 889-1692, Japan
| | - Kazutsugu Matsukawa
- Laboratory of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan
| | - Keisuke Edashige
- Laboratory of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan.
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14
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Hasegawa A, Mochida K, Matoba S, Inoue K, Hama D, Kadota M, Hiraiwa N, Yoshiki A, Ogura A. Development of assisted reproductive technologies for Mus spretus†. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:234-243. [PMID: 32990726 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Mus consists of many species with high genetic diversity. However, only one species, Mus musculus (the laboratory mouse), is common in biomedical research. The unavailability of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) for other Mus species might be a major reason for their limited use in laboratories. Here, we devised ARTs for Mus spretus (the Algerian mouse), a commonly used wild-derived Mus species. We found that in vitro production of M. spretus embryos was difficult because of low efficacies of superovulation with equine chorionic gonadotropin or anti-inhibin serum (AIS) (5-8 oocytes per female) and a low fertilization rate following in vitro fertilization (IVF; 15.2%). The primary cause of this was the hardening of the zona pellucida but not the sperm's fertilizing ability, as revealed by reciprocal IVF with laboratory mice. The largest number of embryos (16 per female) were obtained when females were injected with AIS followed by human chorionic gonadotropin and estradiol injections 24 h later, and then by natural mating. These in vivo-derived 2-cell embryos could be vitrified/warmed with a high survival rate (94%) using an ethylene glycol-based solution. Importantly, more than 60% of such embryos developed into healthy offspring following interspecific embryo transfer into (C57BL/6 × C3H) F1 female mice. Thus, we have devised practical ARTs for Mus spretus mice, enabling efficient production of embryos and animals, with safe laboratory preservation of their strains. In addition, we have demonstrated that interspecific embryo transfer is possible in murine rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shogo Matoba
- RIKEN BioResouce Research Center, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kimiko Inoue
- RIKEN BioResouce Research Center, Tsukuba, Japan.,Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Daiki Hama
- RIKEN BioResouce Research Center, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Atsuo Ogura
- RIKEN BioResouce Research Center, Tsukuba, Japan.,Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Saitama, Japan
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15
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The Evolution of the Cryopreservation Techniques in Reproductive Medicine—Exploring the Character of the Vitrified State Intra- and Extracellularly to Better Understand Cell Survival after Cryopreservation. REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/reprodmed1020011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, cryopreservation of gametes and embryos is a fundamental, integral, and indispensable part of infertility treatment or fertility preservation. Cryopreservation is not only needed for the policy of single embryo transfer and cryopreservation of surplus embryos, but for deferring embryo transfer in the case of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, uterine pathologies, and suboptimal endometrium built-up or when preimplantation genetic testing is needed. Several current strategies in assisted reproduction technology (ART) would be inconceivable without highly efficient cryopreservation protocols. Nevertheless, cryopreservation hampered for a long time, especially in terms of low survival rates after freezing and thawing. Only the technical progress during the last decades, namely, in regard to the implementation and advancement of vitrification, leveraged its application, and thus, even allows the cryopreservation of human oocytes—a process that is far from being easy. This review aims to provide a deeper insight into the physical processes of cryopreservation and to explore the character of the vitrified state in the extra and intracellular milieu in order to demonstrate that the common denominator to all cryopreservation procedures is the establishment of an intracellular amorphous condition that hinders the likelihood of crystallization.
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16
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Mochida K. Development of assisted reproductive technologies in small animal species for their efficient preservation and production. J Reprod Dev 2020; 66:299-306. [PMID: 32307339 PMCID: PMC7470897 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2020-033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are widely used in the animal industry, human clinics, and for basic research. In small laboratory animal species such as mice, ARTs are essential for the production of animals for experiments, the preservation of genetic resources, and for the generation of new strains of genetically modified animals. The RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC) is one of the largest repositories of such animal bioresources, and maintains approximately 9,500 strains of mice with a variety of genetic backgrounds. We have sought to devise ARTs specific to the reproductive and physiological characteristics of each strain. Such ARTs include superovulation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), the cryopreservation of embryos and spermatozoa, transportation of cryopreserved materials and embryo transfer (ET). Of these, superovulation likely has the most influence on animal production because it determines the quantity of starting material for other ARTs. Superovulation using anti-inhibin serum combined with estrous synchronization has resulted in approximately a three-fold increase in production efficiency with IVF-ET in the C57BL/6J strain. Wild-derived strains are important as genetically diverse resources for murine rodents (Genus Mus), and many are unique to the BRC. We have also successfully developed ARTs for more than 50 wild-derived strains, which have been cryopreserved for future use. Our work to improve and develop ARTs for mice and other small laboratory species will contribute to the cost-effectiveness of routine operations at repository centers, and to the provision of high quality animals for research use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiji Mochida
- RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
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17
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Nikiforov D, Russo V, Nardinocchi D, Bernabò N, Mattioli M, Barboni B. Innovative multi-protectoral approach increases survival rate after vitrification of ovarian tissue and isolated follicles with improved results in comparison with conventional method. J Ovarian Res 2018; 11:65. [PMID: 30086787 PMCID: PMC6081856 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-018-0437-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, autotransplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue became a promising approach to preserve female fertility. The slow freezing is the most effective technique which resulted in greater live birth incidence so far. Despite that, interest to vitrification of the ovarian tissue is swiftly growing, thereby undermining the necessity for further improvements in the technique. In present study, we evaluated possibilities to increase follicle survival rates adopting innovative multi-protectoral vitrification protocols, applied to the slivers of ovarian cortex or isolated early-antral follicles, frozen individually. These experimental protocols have been compared with with validated vitrification and slow freezing ones, clinically used for female fertility preservation. Results The results showed that third tested variation of experimental vitrification protocol, with four cryoprotectants in relatively low concentrations and applied to pieces of ovarian tissue at 0 °C during equilibration, increased survival rate of ovine ovarian tissue and improved results in comparison with conventional vitrification method. This variation of experimental protocol showed significant increase in percentage of follicles with good morphology (69,3%) in comparison with only commercially available vitrification protocol for ovarian tissue (62,1%). Morphology results were confirmed by TUNEL assay. Analysis of estradiol and progesterone production by cultured individual follicles after freezing/thawing revealed that steroids secretion remained significantly higher after multi-protectoral vitrification and slow freezing protocol, when follicles after standard vitrification protocol demonstrated decline in steroidogenic activity. Conclusions The multi-protectoral approach represents a workable solution to improve vitrification outcome on ovarian tissue and isolated follicles. The reduction of individual cryoprotectants concentrations, while maintaining their sufficient cumulative level in the final freezing solution, helps to increase efficiency of the procedure. Moreover, equilibration with lower temperatures helped to decrease even further the toxic effects of cryoprotectants and preserve original quality of ovarian tissue. Therefore, multi-protectoral vitrification can be suggested as an improved method for the clinical cryopreservation of ovarian tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Nikiforov
- Faculty of Bioscience, Unit of Basic and Applied Biosciences, University of Teramo, 64100, via R. Balzarini 1, Teramo, Italy.
| | - Valentina Russo
- Faculty of Bioscience, Unit of Basic and Applied Biosciences, University of Teramo, 64100, via R. Balzarini 1, Teramo, Italy
| | - Delia Nardinocchi
- Faculty of Bioscience, Unit of Basic and Applied Biosciences, University of Teramo, 64100, via R. Balzarini 1, Teramo, Italy
| | - Nicola Bernabò
- Faculty of Bioscience, Unit of Basic and Applied Biosciences, University of Teramo, 64100, via R. Balzarini 1, Teramo, Italy
| | - Mauro Mattioli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "Giuseppe Caporale" (IZSAM), 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Barbara Barboni
- Faculty of Bioscience, Unit of Basic and Applied Biosciences, University of Teramo, 64100, via R. Balzarini 1, Teramo, Italy
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18
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Lee J, Kim EJ, Kong HS, Youm HW, Kim SK, Lee JR, Suh CS, Kim SH. Establishment of an improved vitrification protocol by combinations of vitrification medium for isolated mouse ovarian follicles. Theriogenology 2018; 121:97-103. [PMID: 30144737 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In vitro follicle growth (IVFG) is an emerging alternative option for fertility preservation in women instead of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation. To widen the application of this technique, follicle cryopreservation should be established prior to clinical use. In the present study, we tried to determine the optimal vitrification protocol of mouse ovarian follicle for in vitro culture and oocyte maturation by comparing four different compositions of cryoprotective agents (CPA). Secondary follicles were mechanically isolated from 2-week-old BDF-1 mice and randomly assigned to fresh control and four different groups by the composition of CPAs (ES, EDS, EFS and EPS groups; E: ethylene glycol, D: dimethyl sulfoxide, S: sucrose, F: ficoll, P: 1,2-propanediol (PROH)). After vitrification and warming procedures, the follicles were cultured in vitro for 10 days and then treated with human chorionic gonadotropin and epidermal growth factor to induce oocyte maturation. Fourteen to 16 h later, oocyte maturation and quality were assessed. Follicle viability was evaluated by Calcein-AM/ethidium homodimer-1 staining immediately after warming, and their survival and diameters were measured during follicle culture periods. Antral cavity formation was observed at the end of the culture period (on the 10th day of culture). Following oocyte maturation, its maturational ability and meiotic spindle formation were assessed to evaluate their competence. There was no significant difference in viability after warming among the vitrification groups. From the 8th day of culture, the survival rate of ES and EDS were significantly higher than those of other vitrification groups (EPS and EFS). The follicle diameter was largest in the fresh-control group from the 6th day, while smallest in the EFS with statistical significance. On the 10th day of culture, the antral-cavity formation rate of EDS was comparable to that of the fresh control group. However, the oocyte maturation was significantly decreased in all four vitrification groups when compared with control group; especially, the EFS showed a more marked reduction in the oocyte maturation. There were no significant differences in meiotic spindle formation among all of those groups. Our results suggest that EDS combination for mouse follicle vitrification are the most effective vitrification protocols for mouse follicle and evaluated by an in vitro culture and oocyte maturation after warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaewang Lee
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Eulji University, Seongnam, South Korea; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Eun Jung Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun Sun Kong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hye Won Youm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Seul Ki Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung Ryeol Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Chang Suk Suh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seok Hyun Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
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Mochida K. Mouse Embryo Cryopreservation by High-Osmolality Vitrification. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2018; 2018:2018/5/pdb.prot094565. [PMID: 29717050 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot094565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In conventional vitrification methods, the embryos are vitrified under considerable supercooling (i.e., under nonequilibrium conditions). This protocol is a refinement of newer equilibrium vitrification methods. The equilibrium vitrification solution contains a high concentration of cryoprotectants that increase its osmolality and allows vitrified embryos to survive not only during storage in liquid nitrogen (LN2) at -196°C but also during temporary holding at -80°C (for at least 5 mo). This high-osmolality vitrification (HOV) method is as simple as conventional vitrification and provides essentially the same high postwarming survival rate. It has several advantages over conventional vitrification: (1) Cryopreserved embryos are less likely to be damaged during handling for warming; (2) samples can be temporarily evacuated to a -80°C freezer and can be successfully recovered after 5 mo at -80°C; (3) samples can be arranged and sorted at -80°C; and (4) vitrified embryos can be transported using dry ice. Also included here is an alternative protocol that describes the use of straws instead of cryotubes.
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Hasegawa A, Mochida K, Ogonuki N, Hirose M, Tomishima T, Inoue K, Ogura A. Efficient and scheduled production of pseudopregnant female mice for embryo transfer by estrous cycle synchronization. J Reprod Dev 2017; 63:539-545. [PMID: 28824024 PMCID: PMC5735264 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2017-068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In embryo transfer experiments in mice, pseudopregnant females as recipients are prepared by sterile mating with vasectomized males. Because only females at the proestrus stage accept males, such females are selected from a
stock of animals based on the appearance of their external genital tract. Therefore, the efficiency of preparing pseudopregnant females largely depends on the size of female colonies and the skill of the operators who select
females for sterile mating. In this study, we examined whether the efficiency of preparing pseudopregnant females could be improved by applying an estrous cycle synchronization method by progesterone (P4) pretreatment, which
significantly enhances the superovulation outcome in mice. We confirmed that after two daily injections of P4 (designated Days 1 and 2) in randomly selected females, the estrous cycles of most females (about 85%) were synchronized
at metestrus on Day 3. When P4-treated females were paired with vasectomized males for 4 days (Days 4–8), a vaginal plug was found in 63% (20/32) of the females on Day 7. After the transfer of vitrified-warmed embryos into their
oviducts, 52% (73/140) of the embryos successfully developed into offspring, the rate being comparable to that of the conventional embryo transfer procedure. Similarly, 77% (24/31) of females became pregnant by fertile mating with
intact males for 3 days, which allowed the scheduled preparation of foster mothers. Thus, our estrous cycle synchronization method may omit the conventional experience-based process of visually observing the vagina to choose
females for embryo transfer. Furthermore, it is expected that the size of female stocks for recipients can be reduced to less than 20%, which could be a great advantage for facilities/laboratories undertaking mouse-assisted
reproductive technology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Kimiko Inoue
- RIKEN BioResource Center, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan.,Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Atsuo Ogura
- RIKEN BioResource Center, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan.,Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan.,The Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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21
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Abstract
Reproductive engineering techniques are essential for assisted reproduction of animals
and generation of genetically modified animals. They may also provide invaluable research
models for understanding the mechanisms involved in the developmental and reproductive
processes. At the RIKEN BioResource Center (BRC), I have sought to develop new
reproductive engineering techniques, especially those related to cryopreservation,
microinsemination (sperm injection), nuclear transfer, and generation of new stem cell
lines and animals, hoping that they will support the present and future projects at BRC. I
also want to combine our techniques with genetic and biochemical analyses to solve
important biological questions. We expect that this strategy makes our research more
unique and refined by providing deeper insights into the mechanisms that govern the
reproductive and developmental systems in mammals. To make this strategy more effective,
it is critical to work with experts in different scientific fields. I have enjoyed
collaborations with about 100 world-recognized laboratories, and all our collaborations
have been successful and fruitful. This review summarizes development of reproductive
engineering techniques at BRC during these 15 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuo Ogura
- RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
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22
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Hosseini SM, Nasr-Esfahani MH. What does the cryopreserved oocyte look like? A fresh look at the characteristic oocyte features following cryopreservation. Reprod Biomed Online 2016; 32:377-87. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Revised: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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An L, Chang S, Hu Y, Li Y, Xu B, Zhang F, Yang L, Presicce GA, Du F. Efficient cryopreservation of mouse embryos by modified droplet vitrification (MDV). Cryobiology 2015; 71:70-6. [PMID: 26025881 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2015.05.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Revised: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess modified droplet vitrification (MDV) for the cryopreservation of early developmental mouse embryos. Mouse embryos were equilibrated in holding solution for 3 min followed by immersion in vitrification solution for 30-45 s, and then three embryos per 3-μL vitrification droplet were directly dropped into liquid nitrogen. Vitrified embryos were warmed to examine their developmental potential both in vitro and in vivo. The results demonstrated that MDV vitrified and warmed embryos had a survival rate of 98.1-99.6% (P>0.05); however, blastocyst development post warming and culture in vitro demonstrated that vitrified 4-celled, 8-celled, 16-celled, morulae, and blastocyst embryos had significant higher developmental potentials (94.7-99.5%) than those from zygotes (9.2%) and 2-celled embryos (85.7%) (P<0.05). Compared to CryoLoop and CryoTech vitrification, MDV showed similar results with regards to rates of survival, blastocyst development, but with the higher hatching rate (76.1% vs. 64.0-67.3%) (P<0.05). Cryopreservation by MDV resulted in a similar blastocyst developmental potential in 4-celled and 16 celled embryos from ICR (94.7-99.5%), C57BL/6J (94.7-96.4%), and their crossbred F1 strain (97.9-98.9%) (P>0.05). After embryo transfer of vitrified ICR embryos from 4-celled, 16-celled, morulae and blastocyst stage, 40.7-43.7% of the embryos developed into live offspring (P>0.05), but MDV vitrification resulted in the highest birth rate (43.8%) compared to CryoLoop (38.3%) and CryoTech (35.4%) (P<0.05), when 4-celled mouse embryos were used for vitrification. Our study clearly demonstrated that MDV is the most efficient vitrification to cryopreserve embryos at least 4-celled and advanced stages, which can be used to preserve important mouse genomes from different strains and different developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyou An
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Shiwei Chang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Yeshu Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Yi Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Bowen Xu
- Lannuo Biotechnologies Wuxi Inc., Wuxi 214000, PR China
| | - Fenli Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Lan Yang
- Lannuo Biotechnologies Wuxi Inc., Wuxi 214000, PR China
| | | | - Fuliang Du
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China; Renova Life Inc., College Park, MD 20742, USA.
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24
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Lavara R, Baselga M, Marco-Jiménez F, Vicente JS. Embryo vitrification in rabbits: Consequences for progeny growth. Theriogenology 2015; 84:674-80. [PMID: 26007610 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this research is to examine if there are any effects of the rederivation procedures on rabbit growth pattern and on weight of different organ in adults. For this purpose, three experiments were conducted on two different groups of animals (control group and vitrified-transferred group) to evaluate the possible effect of embryo manipulation (vitrification and transfer procedures) on future growth traits. The first experiment studies body weight from 1 to 9 weeks of age from the two groups. The second experiment describes the growth curve of progeny from experimental groups and analyzes their Gompertz curve parameters, including the estimation of adult body weight. The third experiment has been developed to study if there are any differences in different organ weight in adult males from the two experimental groups. In general, the results indicate that rederivation procedures had effect on the phenotypic expression of growth traits. The results showed that rabbit produced by vitrification and embryo transfer had higher body weight in the first four weeks of age than control progeny. Results from body weight (a parameter) and b parameter estimated by fitting the Gompertz growth curve did not show any difference between experimental groups. However, differences related with growth velocity (k parameter of the Gompertz curve) were observed among them, showing that the control group had higher growth velocity than the vitrified-transferred group. In addition, we found that liver weight at 40th week of age exhibits significant differences between the experimental groups. The liver weight was higher in the control males than in the VF males. Although the present results indicate that vitrification and transfer procedures might affect some traits related with growth in rabbits, further research is needed to assess the mechanisms involved in the appearance of these phenotypes and if these phenotypes could be transferred to the future progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Lavara
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain; INRA, UMR1388 Génétique, Physiologie et Systèmes d'Elevage, Castanet-Tolosan, France.
| | - M Baselga
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - F Marco-Jiménez
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - J S Vicente
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
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25
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Devising assisted reproductive technologies for wild-derived strains of mice: 37 strains from five subspecies of Mus musculus. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114305. [PMID: 25470728 PMCID: PMC4254977 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild-derived mice have long offered invaluable experimental models for mouse genetics because of their high evolutionary divergence from laboratory mice. A number of wild-derived strains are available from the RIKEN BioResource Center (BRC), but they have been maintained as living stocks because of the unavailability of assisted reproductive technology (ART). In this study, we sought to devise ART for 37 wild-derived strains from five subspecies of Mus musculus maintained at the BRC. Superovulation of females was effective (more than 15 oocytes per female) for 34 out of 37 strains by treatment with either equine chorionic gonadotropin or anti-inhibin serum, depending on their genetic background (subspecies). The collected oocytes could be fertilized in vitro at mean rates of 79.0% and 54.6% by the optimized protocol using fresh or frozen-thawed spermatozoa, respectively. They were cryopreserved at the 2-cell stage by vitrification with an ethylene glycol-based solution. In total, 94.6% of cryopreserved embryos survived the vitrification procedure and restored their normal morphology after warming. A conventional embryo transfer protocol could be applied to 25 out of the 35 strains tested. In the remaining 10 strains, live offspring could be obtained by a modified embryo transfer protocol using cyclosporin A treatment and co-transfer of ICR (laboratory mouse strain) embryos. Thus, ART for 37 wild-derived strains was devised successfully and is now routinely used for their preservation and transportation. The information provided here might facilitate broader use and wider distribution of wild-derived mice for biomedical research.
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26
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Chen Y, Li L, Qian Y, Xu C, Zhu Y, Huang H, Jin F, Ye Y. Small-volume vitrification for human spermatozoa in the absence of cryoprotectants by using Cryotop. Andrologia 2014; 47:694-9. [PMID: 25081345 DOI: 10.1111/and.12320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryotop is a carrier that has been used successfully in the cryopreservation of human spermatozoa. Here, we explored a novel method to vitrify human spermatozoa without cryoprotective agents (CPAs) using Cryotop. Spermatozoa from 21 Normozoospermic patients were collected and vitrified without CPAs or with sucrose in small volume using Cryotop. The sperm recovery rate, motility, viability, chromatin damage and DNA fragmentation were assessed. No significant difference was observed in the sperm recovery rate and motility rate between the spermatozoa cryopreserved without CPAs and with sucrose. The post-thawed spermatozoa cryopreserved without CPAs had a higher viability and lower damage to sperm chromatin and DNA than those cryopreserved with sucrose. These results suggest that small numbers of human spermatozoa can be successfully vitrified without CPAs using Cryotop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China.,Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - L Li
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Y Qian
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - C Xu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Y Zhu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - H Huang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - F Jin
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Y Ye
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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27
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Kenyon J, Guan M, Bogani D, Marschall S, Raspa M, Pickard A, Takeo T, Nakagata N, Fray M. Transporting mouse embryos and germplasm as frozen or unfrozen materials. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 4:47-65. [PMID: 25723918 DOI: 10.1002/9780470942390.mo140064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The 21st century has seen a huge proliferation in the availability of genetically altered mice. The availability of these resources has been accompanied by ever greater opportunities for international collaborations between laboratories involving the exchange of mouse strains. This exchange can involve significant costs in terms of animal welfare and transportation expenses. In an attempt to mitigate some of these costs, the mouse community has developed a battery of techniques that can be used to avoid transporting live mice. Transporting frozen embryos and sperm at liquid nitrogen (LN2 ) temperatures using dry shippers has been common practice for some time. However, current advances in this field have refined transportation procedures and introduced new techniques for disseminating embryos and sperm: for example, shipping frozen sperm on dry ice, exchanging unfrozen epididymides from which sperm can be extracted, and transporting frozen/thawed embryos in isotonic media. This article discusses some of the current practices used by laboratories to transport mouse strains around the world without having to exchange live mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Kenyon
- Mary Lyon Centre, Medical Research Council, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
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28
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Woods SE, Qi P, Rosalia E, Chavarria T, Discua A, Mkandawire J, Fox JG, García A. Laser-assisted in vitro fertilization facilitates fertilization of vitrified-warmed C57BL/6 mouse oocytes with fresh and frozen-thawed spermatozoa, producing live pups. PLoS One 2014; 9:e91892. [PMID: 24618785 PMCID: PMC3950285 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The utility of cryopreserved mouse gametes for reproduction of transgenic mice depends on development of assisted reproductive technologies, including vitrification of unfertilized mouse oocytes. Due to hardening of the zona pellucida, spermatozoa are often unable to penetrate vitrified-warmed (V-W) oocytes. Laser-assisted in vitro fertilization (LAIVF) facilitates fertilization by allowing easier penetration of spermatozoa through a perforation in the zona. We investigated the efficiency of V-W C57BL/6NTac oocytes drilled by the XYClone laser, compared to fresh oocytes. By using DAP213 for cryoprotection, 83% (1,470/1,762) of vitrified oocytes were recovered after warming and 78% were viable. Four groups were evaluated for two-cell embryo and live offspring efficiency: 1) LAIVF using V-W oocytes, 2) LAIVF using fresh oocytes, 3) conventional IVF using V-W oocytes and 4) conventional IVF using fresh oocytes. First, the groups were tested using fresh C57BL/6NTac spermatozoa (74% motile, 15 million/ml). LAIVF markedly improved the two-cell embryo efficiency using both V-W (76%, 229/298) and fresh oocytes (69%, 135/197), compared to conventional IVF (7%, 12/182; 6%, 14/235, respectively). Then, frozen-thawed C57BL/6NTac spermatozoa (35% motile, 15 million/ml) were used and LAIVF was again found to enhance fertilization efficiency, with two-cell embryo rates of 87% (298/343) using V-W oocytes (P<0.05, compared to fresh spermatozoa), and 73% (195/266) using fresh oocytes. Conventional IVF with frozen-thawed spermatozoa using V-W (6%, 10/168) and fresh (5%, 15/323) oocytes produced few two-cell embryos. Although live offspring efficiency following embryo transfer was greater with conventional IVF (35%, 18/51; LAIVF: 6%, 50/784), advantage was seen with LAIVF in live offspring obtained from total oocytes (5%, 50/1,010; conventional IVF: 2%, 18/908). Our results demonstrated that zona-drilled V-W mouse oocytes can be used for IVF procedures using both fresh and frozen-thawed spermatozoa, producing live pups. The ability to cryopreserve mouse gametes for LAIVF may facilitate management of large-scale transgenic mouse production facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie E. Woods
- Transgenic Core Facility, Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Peimin Qi
- Transgenic Core Facility, Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Rosalia
- Transgenic Core Facility, Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tony Chavarria
- Transgenic Core Facility, Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Allan Discua
- Transgenic Core Facility, Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - John Mkandawire
- Transgenic Core Facility, Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - James G. Fox
- Transgenic Core Facility, Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alexis García
- Transgenic Core Facility, Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Youm HW, Lee JR, Lee J, Jee BC, Suh CS, Kim SH. Optimal vitrification protocol for mouse ovarian tissue cryopreservation: effect of cryoprotective agents and in vitro culture on vitrified-warmed ovarian tissue survival. Hum Reprod 2013; 29:720-30. [PMID: 24365801 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/det449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the optimal vitrification protocol according to the cryoprotective agent (CPA) for ovarian tissue (OT) cryopreservation? SUMMARY ANSWER The two-step protocol with 7.5% ethylene glycol (EG) and 7.5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 10 min then 20% EG, 20% DMSO and 0.5 M sucrose for 5 min showed the best results in mouse OT vitrification. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Establishing the optimal cryopreservation protocol is one of the most important steps to improve OT survival. However, only a few studies have compared vitrification protocols with different CPAs and investigated the effect of in vitro culture (IVC) on vitrified-warmed OT survival. Some recent papers proposed that a combination of CPAs has less toxicity than one type of CPA. However, the efficacy of different types and concentrations of CPA are not yet well documented. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A total of 644 ovaries were collected from 4-week-old BDF1 mice, of which 571 ovaries were randomly assigned to 8 groups and vitrified using different protocols according to CPA composition and the remaining 73 ovaries were used as controls. After warming, each of the eight groups of ovaries was further randomly divided into four subgroups and in vitro cultured for 0, 0.5, 2 and 4 h, respectively. Ovaries of the best two groups among the eight groups were autotransplanted after IVC. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The CPA solutions for the eight groups were composed of EDS, ES, ED, EPS, EF, EFS, E and EP, respectively (E, EG; D, DMSO; P, propanediol; S, sucrose; F, Ficoll). The IVC medium was composed of α-minimal essential medium, 10% fetal bovine serum and 10 mIU/ml follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Autotransplantation of vitrified-warmed OTs after IVC (0 to 4 h) using the EDS or ES protocol was performed, and the grafts were recovered after 3 weeks. Ovarian follicles were assessed for morphology, apoptosis, proliferation and FSH level. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The percentages of the morphologically intact (G1) and apoptotic follicles in each group at 0, 0.5, 2 and 4 h of IVC were compared. For G1 follicles at 0 and 4 h of IVC, the EDS group showed the best results at 63.8 and 46.6%, respectively, whereas the EP group showed the worst results at 42.2 and 12.8%, respectively. The apoptotic follicle ratio was lowest in the EDS group at 0 h (8.1%) and 0.5 h (12.7%) of IVC. All of the eight groups showed significant decreases in G1 follicles and increases in apoptotic follicles as IVC duration progressed. After autotransplantation, the EDS 0 h group showed a significantly higher G1 percentage (84.9%) than did the other groups (42.4-58.8%), while only the ES 4 h group showed a significant decrease in the number of proliferative cells (80.6%, 87.6-92.9%). However, no significant differences in apoptotic rates and FSH levels were observed between the groups after autotransplantation. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The limitation of this study was the absence of in vitro fertilization using oocytes obtained from OT grafts, which should be performed to confirm the outcomes of ovarian cryopreservation and transplantation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS We compared eight vitrification protocols according to CPA composition and found the EDS protocol to be the optimal method among them. The data presented herein will help improve OT cryopreservation protocols for humans or other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Won Youm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 300 Gumi-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam 463-707, Korea
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Does cryopreservation of ovarian tissue affect the distribution and function of germinal vesicle oocytes mitochondria? BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:489032. [PMID: 23956986 PMCID: PMC3730362 DOI: 10.1155/2013/489032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2013] [Revised: 06/16/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate mitochondrial alteration and ATP content of germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes isolated from fresh and vitrified ovaries. After superovulation, the ovaries from adult mice were collected and divided into control and vitrified groups. GV oocytes were isolated mechanically from each group. Half were cultured for 24 hours and their maturation was assessed. Metaphase II oocytes were collected and submitted to in vitro fertilization and their fertilization rates and development to the blastocyst stage were evaluated. In the remaining GV oocytes, ATP levels were quantified, and mitochondrial distribution, mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular free calcium were detected with rhodamine 123, JC-1 and Flou-4 AM staining, using laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Maturation and fertilization rates of GV oocytes and the developmental rates of subsequent embryos were significantly lower in vitrified samples (P < 0.05). The ATP content and Ca(2+) levels differed significantly in fresh and vitrified GV oocytes (P < 0.05). Most mitochondria were seen as large and homogenous aggregates (66.6%) in fresh GV oocytes compared to vitrified oocytes (50%). No significant differences in mitochondrial membrane potential were found between the groups. The lower maturation and fertilization rates of GV oocytes from vitrified ovaries may be due to changes in their mitochondrial function and distribution.
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