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Updated: May 31, 2026

Cryopreservation of Mouse Embryos by Ethylene Glycol-Based Vitrification
Published on: November 18, 2011
Dimethyl sulfoxide and ethylene glycol promote membrane phase change during cryopreservation
R Spindler1, W F Wolkers, B Glasmacher
1Institute for Multiphase Processes, Leibniz Universitaet Hannover, Germany. spindler@imp.uni-hannover.de
Abstract:
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and cryomicroscopy were used to study the effects of dimethyl sulfoxide and ethylene glycol on cell pellets of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells during freezing from 4 degree C to -60 degree C at 1 degree C per min. FTIR analysis showed that membranes undergo a phase change in the presence of cryoprotective agents (CPAs) which was not observed in the absence of CPAs. Cryomicroscopy revealed the formation of intracellular ice and concomitant cell volume changes. Intracellular ice was detected in the majority of the cells both in the presence and absence of CPAs. Membrane phase changes were found to be most pronounced at intermediate concentrations of cryoprotective agents; for dimethyl sulfoxide at around 1 M and for ethylene glycol at around 1.5 M. At those concentrations cell survival after thawing exhibited a maximum. The results indicate that CPAs promote rather than prevent cell dehydration during freezing.
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