Experimental vitrification of human compacted morulae and early blastocysts using fine diameter plastic micropipettes

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2004

Authors

Cremades, N (Author) Other; sousa, m (Author) ICBAS; Silva, J (Author) Other; Viana, P (Author) Other; Sousa, S (Author) Other; Oliveira, C (Author) Other; da Silva, JT (Author) Other; barros, a (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Human Reproduction

Vol. 19

Pages: 300-305

ISSN: 0268-1161

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 38 Citations

Scopus - 46 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-BQX

DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deh059

Abstract (EN): BACKGROUND: Vitrification of human blastocysts has been successfully applied using grids, straws and cryoloops. We assessed the survival rate of human compacted morulae and early blastocysts vitrified in pipette tips with a smaller inner diameter and solution volume than the previously described open pulled straw (OPS) method. METHODS: Excess day 5 human embryos (n = 63) were experimentally vitrified in vessels. Embryos were incubated at 37degreesC with sperm preparation medium (SPM) for 1 min, SPM + 7.5% ethylene glycol (EG)/dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) for 3 min, and SPM + 16.5% EG + 16.5% DMSO + 0.67 mol/l sucrose for 25 s. They were then aspirated (0.5 mul) into a plastic micropipette tip (0.36 mm inner diameter), exposed to liquid nitrogen (LN2) vapour for 2 min before being placed into a pre-cooled cryotube, which was then closed and plunged into LN2. Embryos were warmed and diluted using 0.33 mol/l and 0.2 mol/l sucrose. RESULTS: The survival rate for compacted morulae was 73% (22/30) and 82% (27/33) for early blastocysts. CONCLUSIONS: The survival rates of human compacted morulae and early blastocysts after vitrification with this simple technique are similar to those reported in the literature achieved by slow cooling and other vitrification protocols.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6