Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Modified MicroSecure Vitrification: A Safe, Simple and Highly Effective Cryopreservation Procedure for Human Blastocysts
Published on: March 2, 2017
Melatonin enhances vitrified mouse blastocyst development by mitigating oxidative stress and preserving mitochondrial
Dan Zhou1, Qiaoyu Chen1,2, Yunlong Bai3
1Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
Melatonin supplementation during blastocyst cryopreservation significantly reduces cell death and improves developmental potential by combating oxidative stress and restoring mitochondrial function. This enhances the efficiency of preserving mouse blastocysts.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cryobiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Blastocyst cryopreservation is crucial for assisted reproductive technologies.
- Vitrification and thawing can induce oxidative stress and apoptosis, impairing blastocyst viability.
- Melatonin is a potent antioxidant with potential cryoprotective properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of melatonin supplementation during mouse blastocyst vitrification and thawing.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which melatonin mitigates cryodamage.
- To assess the impact of melatonin on blastocyst developmental potential and oxidative stress markers.
Main Methods:
- Mouse blastocysts were divided into fresh (Control), vitrified-warmed without melatonin (VT), and vitrified-warmed with melatonin (MVT) groups.
- Developmental potential was assessed by cell counts (inner cell mass, trophectoderm, total).
- Oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and gene expression were analyzed using transcriptomic analysis (Smart-seq2) and immunofluorescence staining.
Main Results:
- Melatonin treatment significantly reduced apoptotic cell proportion and increased inner cell mass, trophectoderm, and total cell counts.
- Melatonin protected against oxidative stress, restoring mitochondrial activity and reducing reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ levels.
- Transcriptome analysis revealed that melatonin rebalanced gene expression altered by vitrification and warming, preserving blastocyst ultrastructure.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin supplementation (10⁻¹⁰ M) in vitrification and warming solutions effectively protects mouse blastocysts from cryodamage.
- Melatonin mitigates oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, thereby enhancing blastocyst cryopreservation efficiency.
- This strategy offers a promising approach to improve outcomes in assisted reproductive technologies.
