Vitrification of Mouse Blastocysts by Open or Closed System and Warming in Sucrose-containing or Sucrose-free Diluent

• Published in: Cryo-Letters Vol. 41; no. 3; p. 135
• Main Authors: Garza, D, Camacho, M, Gauly, M, Holtz, W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.05.2020
• ISSN: 0143-2044

Cryopreservation of embryos is of considerable relevance for the implementation of embryo transfer programs and the establishment of embryo banks in several mammalian species. The present investigation compares two different vitrification systems and two different warming solutions. Vitrification was performed using Open Pulled Straw (OPS) or CVM RingFibre plug (CVM) devices. Warming was carried out either in a warming solution containing 0.33 M sucrose or in a solution devoid of sucrose. Differences between vitrification systems were not significant. Warming in sucrose-containing diluent resulted in an expansion rate of 64%, as compared to 86% in a solution devoid of sucrose; reported hatching rates were 45% vs. 9%, respectively (p<0.05). Upon transfer, implantation rates for OPS- and CVM were 50% and 27%, respectively, compared with 55% for freshly collected embryos. The implantation rate after warming was 43% for sucrose-containing and 33% for sucrose-free medium. a) both vitrification systems are suitable for vitrifying mouse blastocysts; b) warming in sucrose-free diluent yields better embryo survival rates than in diluent containing 0.33 M sucrose.