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Formaldehyde in cryoprotectant propanediol and effect on mouse zygotes
M M Mahadevan1, Q McIntosh, M M Miller
1University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Little Rock, USA.
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|June 10, 1998
Summary
Formaldehyde (FA) in cryoprotective solutions can harm mouse embryo development and hatching, especially at higher concentrations. Screening cryoprotectants for FA contamination is crucial for quality control in assisted reproduction technologies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Toxicology
- In Vitro Fertilization
Background:
- Cryopreservation of human zygotes and embryos is standard practice in IVF clinics.
- Formaldehyde (FA), a cytotoxic chemical, has been previously shown to negatively impact mouse oocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxic effects of formaldehyde (FA) on mouse zygotes and embryos.
- To determine the concentrations of FA in propanediol (PROH) from various commercial sources.
Main Methods:
- Mouse 1-cell embryos were exposed to varying concentrations of FA in different media (with and without bovine serum albumin).
- FA concentrations in 1.5 M PROH solutions were measured using a standard curve.
- Embryo development and hatching rates were assessed.
Main Results:
- FA exhibited a significant deleterious effect on embryo development and hatching at 1 mM concentration in complex media.
- In simple media, even 50 microM FA reduced embryo hatching.
- FA was detected in 1.5 M PROH from different sources (1.0-35.3 microM), with concentrations not increasing upon storage.
Conclusions:
- Formaldehyde is a contaminant in cryoprotective agents, likely introduced during manufacturing.
- Screening cryoprotectant batches for FA is recommended as a quality control measure.
- Further research is needed to confirm FA's toxicity to embryos during cryopreservation.