Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2001 Aug;44(8):1455-1463.

Establishment of Mouse Oocytes Cryopreservation Program

• Moon SY
• Kim SH
• Jee BC
• Sung KC
• Choi SM
• Kim HS
• Oh SK
• Suh CS
• Choi YM
• Kim JG
• Lee JY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To establish the optimal cryopreservation method in mouse oocytes.
METHODS
Firstly, mouse immature oocytes were exposed to various cryoprotectants, and then cryoprotectant with the best outcome was selected. Secondly, mouse immature oocytes were cryopreserved by either slow freezing and ultra-rapid thawing or vitrification. Finally, in mouse mature oocytes, the five different protocols were compared in their fertilization and hatching rates.
RESULTS
1) 1.5M 1,2-propanediol (PROH) and 1.5M PROH+0.1M sucrose had a higher rate of survival (73.1%, 81.9%) and in vitro maturation (28.2%, 30.1%). 2) Vitrification using 5.5M ethylene glycol (EG) showed significantly higher rate of survival and in vitro maturation, when compared with slow freezing and ultra-rapid thawing using 1.5M PROH+0.1M sucrose (65.9% vs 50.0%, 40.0% vs 28.2%, respectively). 3) In mouse mature oocytes, vitrification using 5.5M EG showed significantly higher survival rate, however, slow freezing and ultra-rapid thawing using 1.5M DMSO was superior to vitrification in view of fertilization rate.
CONCLUSIONS
Vitrification showed better outcomes in mouse immature oocytes, but slow freezing and ultra-rapid thawing using 1.5M DMSO may be beneficial in mature oocytes.

Keyword

Mouse oocytes; Cryopreservation; Slow freezing and ultra-rapid thawing; Vitrification

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cryopreservation*
Dimethyl Sulfoxide
Ethylene Glycol
Fertilization
Freezing
Mice*
Oocytes*
Propylene Glycol
Sucrose
Survival Rate
Vitrification
Dimethyl Sulfoxide
Ethylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol
Sucrose