Survival and post-warming in vitro competence of human oocytes after high security closed system vitrification

To compare two vitrification methods and two warming methods for human oocyte vitrification using a high security closed device in terms of survival, fertilization and embryo development.

For vitrification, oocytes were (1) immediately placed in equilibration solution or (2) they were gradually exposed to the cryoprotectants. For warming, oocytes were placed (1) in a 25 μl preheated (37 °C) thawing solution droplet that was put at room temperature for 1 min once the oocytes were inside or (2) in a 150 μl droplet for 1 minute at 37 °C.

Survival and preimplantation development were significantly lower when warming was performed in a small preheated droplet. There was no significant difference in survival and embryo development between the gradual or direct exposure to cryoprotectants.

Using this high security closed vitrification device a 90 % survival rate can be achieved when the oocytes are immediately warmed in a large volume at 37 °C.