Korean J Fertil Steril.  2004 Mar;31(1):9-17.

Effect of Ethylene Glycol (EG) and 1,2-Propanediol (PROH) on the Survival and the Development of Mouse and Human Embryosafter Slow Freezing/Rapid Thawing Protocol

• Kim TH
• Cha SK
• Lee DR
• Han JE
• Lee WS
• Yoon TK
• Cha KY
• Chung HM

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study were to compare the effects of EG and PROH on cryopreservation of mouse and human embryos, and to find the optimal protocol for embryo freezing.
METHODS
Human embryos derived from fertilized eggs showing 3 pronuclei (PN) and mouse embryos were divided into two groups respectively: dehydrated with 1.5 M EG+0.2 M sucrose or 1.5 M PROH+0.2 M sucrose using the slow freezing method. Moreover mouse embryos were controlled the exposure time of cryoprotectant during dehydration or rehydration steps.
RESULTS
The survival rates of human embryos were 79.2% (84/106) in EG group and 77.9% (88/113) in PROH group. In mouse embryos, the survival and development rates up to blastocyst were 70.6% (245/347), 44.1% (123/279) in EG group and 62.1% (198/319), 45.1% (123/279) in PROH group, respectively. However, in EG group, partially damaged embryos after thawing were decreased compared to PROH group. In combination group, when the exposure time during dehydration and rehydration were reduced, the survival and embryonic developments were increased slightly, but not significant.
CONCLUSION
Cryopreservation of mouse and human embryos at cleavage stage by using EG or PROH exhibited no statistical difference in the survival rate and/or developmental rate to blastocyst. However, the use of EG for cryopreservation of embryos might reduce the exposure time of the cryoprotectant because of a high permeation of EG and result in lessen its toxic effects.

Keyword

Ethylene glycol; Slow freezing; Human embryos; Mouse embryos

MeSH Terms

Animals
Blastocyst
Cryopreservation
Dehydration
Embryonic Development
Embryonic Structures
Ethylene Glycol*
Female
Fluid Therapy
Freezing
Humans*
Mice*
Pregnancy
Propylene Glycol*
Sucrose
Survival Rate
Zygote
Ethylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol
Sucrose