[Vitrification of mouse blastocyst by open pulled straw (OPS) method at different temperature]

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Cryobiology
• Embryology

Context:

• Efficient cryopreservation of blastocysts is crucial for assisted reproductive technologies and conservation efforts.
• Optimizing vitrification medium and procedures is essential for maintaining embryo viability post-thaw.
• Mouse blastocysts serve as a reliable model for optimizing cryopreservation protocols applicable to domestic animals and humans.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the efficacy of ethylene diamine-based solutions (EDFS) and ethylene glycol-based solutions (EFS) for blastocyst cryopreservation.
• To establish a vitrification model for domestic animal and human blastocysts using mouse blastocysts and open pulled straws (OPS).
• To investigate the impact of different temperatures and procedures on blastocyst cryopreservation success.

Summary:

• Mouse blastocysts were vitrified using EDFS30, EDFS40, and EFS40 with the open pulled straw (OPS) method under various temperature conditions.
• Post-thaw expanded blastocyst (EB) and hatched blastocyst (HB) rates were comparable to controls, particularly with the 2-step vitrification method.
• In vivo development studies showed similar pregnancy and birth rates for vitrified blastocysts compared to fresh embryos, confirming successful cryopreservation.

Impact:

• Demonstrates the successful cryopreservation of mouse blastocysts using EDFS and EFS solutions, providing a foundation for optimizing protocols.
• Offers valuable insights into vitrification medium preparation and procedural adjustments for diverse temperature settings.
• Supports the potential application of these cryopreservation techniques for domestic animals and human embryos.