Hydroxypropyl cellulose supplementation in vitrification solutions: a prospective study with donor oocytes

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Biomaterials Science
• Cryobiology

Background:

• Traditional cryopreservation solutions often use blood-derived macromolecules.
• Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), a temperature-sensitive polysaccharide, presents a potential synthetic alternative.
• Developing protein-free, synthetic solutions is crucial for improved cryopreservation efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of novel hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC)-based vitrification and warming solutions.
• To compare the efficacy of synthetic, protein-free cryopreservation solutions with traditional methods using donor oocytes.
• To assess the impact of HPC-based solutions on oocyte survival, fertilization, and embryo development.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 219 donor MII oocytes.
• Matched pair analysis comparing oocytes vitrified with HPC-based solutions against fresh counterparts.
• Assessment of primary endpoint: fertilization rate.
• Evaluation of secondary endpoints: oocyte survival post-warming and embryo quality on days 2 and 3.

Main Results:

• High morphological survival rate of 95.9% (70/73) for vitrified oocytes post-warming.
• Fertilization rate of 70.0% (49/70) in the HPC-vitrified group, comparable to 71.9% (105/146) in the fresh oocyte group.
• Similar embryo quality observed between vitrified and fresh oocyte groups.
• Successful implantation rate of 47.3% (18/38) leading to 13 newborns.

Conclusions:

• Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC)-based solutions are effective for oocyte vitrification, offering high survival and fertilization rates.
• The synthetic, protein-free approach using HPC shows comparable outcomes to fresh oocytes.
• These findings support the potential of HPC as a safe and effective component in advanced cryopreservation protocols, leading to successful pregnancies.