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Vitrification of mouse MII oocytes: Developmental competency using paclitaxel
Farzaneh Fesahat1, Azita Faramarzi2, Arezoo Khoradmehr2
1Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran; Department of Genetics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Adding paclitaxel to vitrification media can harm mouse oocyte development. High concentrations of this microtubule stabilizer negatively impact oocyte competency and embryo development after thawing, suggesting a need for optimal concentration studies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cryobiology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Oocyte cryopreservation is vital for fertility preservation, especially for women undergoing cytotoxic therapy.
- Cryopreservation can cause spindle disorganization, increasing aneuploidy risk in zygotes.
- Paclitaxel stabilizes microtubules, potentially mitigating spindle damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the optimal concentration of paclitaxel for improving the developmental potential of cryopreserved mouse oocytes.
- To investigate the effect of paclitaxel on post-thawed oocyte viability and blastocyst formation.
Main Methods:
- Mice oocytes (n=300) were divided into control, 0.5μM paclitaxel (Experimental I), and 1μM paclitaxel (Experimental II) groups.
- Oocytes were vitrified, thawed, and incubated; viability was assessed using nuclear staining.
- In vitro fertilization was performed, and embryo development to the blastocyst stage was monitored.
Main Results:
- Fertilization rates were similar across all groups.
- Cleavage rates were significantly lower in the 1μM paclitaxel group (Experimental II) compared to controls.
- The 1μM paclitaxel group showed significantly reduced blastocyst rates, increased parthenogenesis and arrest rates, and decreased oocyte viability.
Conclusions:
- High concentrations (1μM) of paclitaxel negatively impact mouse oocyte competency and developmental potential after thawing.
- The optimal concentration of paclitaxel may enhance post-thawed oocyte developmental abilities, but further research is needed.
- Paclitaxel, an anticancer drug, requires careful dosage evaluation when used in oocyte cryopreservation media.
