Cryoprotectant agents for ovarian tissue vitrification: Systematic review
Taynná El Cury-Silva1, Monique E G Nunes1, Maíra Casalechi1
1Division of Human Reproduction, Hospital das Clínicas, and Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Cryobiology
|August 9, 2021
Summary
Vitrification of ovarian tissue using cryoprotective agents (CPAs) like ethylene glycol and glycerol shows high follicle survival rates. Current methods effectively preserve ovarian tissue integrity for cryopreservation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Cryobiology
- Oncofertility
Background:
- Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is crucial for fertility preservation.
- Vitrification is a common method, but optimal cryoprotective agent (CPA) combinations require further study.
- Existing research often focuses on slow freezing versus vitrification or CPA optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and compare different CPAs used in human and primate ovarian tissue vitrification.
- To evaluate the efficacy of various CPA combinations on follicular survival and function post-cryopreservation.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of Pubmed and EMBASE databases.
- Inclusion of randomized clinical trials and cohort studies comparing CPAs for ovarian tissue vitrification.
- Analysis of studies involving human and/or primate ovarian tissue.
Main Results:
- A combination of 27% ethylene glycol (EG) plus 27% glycerol with synthetic polymers achieved 98% morphologically normal follicles.
- Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at low concentrations, with EG and other CPAs, resulted in over 90% intact follicles.
- Significant variability in methods and outcomes across studies complicated direct comparison.
Conclusions:
- Current vitrification techniques demonstrate a high capacity for preserving ovarian follicle integrity.
- While optimal CPA combinations are not definitively established, effective protocols exist for ovarian tissue cryopreservation.
- Further research is needed to standardize CPA protocols for improved functional outcomes.
