Vitrification Of Mouse Embryos Research Articles

Equilibrium vitrification of mouse embryos with lower concentrations of cryoprotectants

Equilibrium vitrification of mouse embryos with lower concentrations of cryoprotectants

Effect of embryo vitrification on the expression of brain tissue proteins in mouse offspring

Vitrification is widely used in assisted reproductive technologies. However, the nervous system of vitrification offspring is of concern, and research on this is lacking. Vitrification-born mice (vitrification group), conventional in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer pregnancy-born mice (IVF group), and natural pregnancy-born mice (control group) were used to study the effects of vitrification of mouse embryos on protein levels in the brain of offspring. Proteins differentially expressed among the three groups were analyzed using proteomic methods, including two-dimensional electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics analysis. Immunohistochemistry was used to verify the expression of differentially expressed proteins, such as Actb and Actg1, in each group. Twenty differentially expressed proteins in the brain tissue were identified using two-dimensional protein electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that these proteins were related to the development of anatomical structure, signal transduction, transport, cell differentiation, and stress response (biological processes) and the binding of molecules in vivo (molecular functions). The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins were involved in 54 pathways, including phagosome, metabolic pathway, apoptosis, and cysteine and methionine metabolism. Thus, embryo vitrification may cause some changes in the mouse brain at the protein level, necessitating further safety assessment.

Vitrification of mouse embryos using the thin plastic strip method

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare vitrification optimization of mouse embryos using electron microscopy (EM) grid, cryotop, and thin plastic strip (TPS) containers by evaluating developmental competence and apoptosis rates.MethodsMouse embryos were obtained from superovulated mice. Mouse cleavage-stage, expanded, hatching-stage, and hatched-stage embryos were cryopreserved in EM grid, cryotop, and TPS containers by vitrification in 15% ethylene glycol, 15% dimethylsulfoxide, 10 µg/mL Ficoll, and 0.65 M sucrose, and 20% serum substitute supplement (SSS) with basal medium, respectively. For the three groups in which the embryos were thawed in the EM grid, cryotop, and TPS containers, the thawing solution consisted of 0.25 M sucrose, 0.125 M sucrose, and 20% SSS with basal medium, respectively. Rates of survival, re-expansion, reaching the hatched stage, and apoptosis after thawing were compared among the three groups.ResultsDevelopmental competence after thawing of vitrified expanded and hatching-stage blastocysts using cryotop and TPS methods were significantly higher than survival using the EM grid (p<0.05). Also, apoptosis positive nuclei rates after thawing of vitrified expanded blastocysts using cryotop and TPS were significantly lower than when using the EM grid (p<0.05).ConclusionThe TPS vitrification method has the advantages of achieving a high developmental ability and effective preservation.

Vitrification of mouse embryos with super-cooled air

To develop a closed vitrification device (i.e., one that requires no direct contact with liquid nitrogen) for successful cryostorage of embryos. Prospective laboratory research study. University-based research laboratory. F1 mice and mouse embryos. Mouse embryos were vitrified using two methods and compared with nonvitrified controls. Embryos were vitrified on a device by either [1] presealing it within a straw before plunging into liquid nitrogen or [2] placing the straw into liquid nitrogen so that the air inside the straw is super-cooled before inserting the device holding the embryos. Survival, subsequent embryo development, and cell number were determined. Embryos were also cryopreserved for 12 months to assess long-term storage. Synchronized ETs were performed to compare viability with nonvitrified control embryos. All embryos survived with both techniques. Day-4 and -5 embryo development was comparable between the two vitrification methods. Use of the presealing method resulted in a significantly lower mean cell number than the postsealing method and control. Long-term storage did not affect subsequent embryo development or cell number. The implantation and fetal development rates of embryos vitrified with super-cooled air were comparable to those for nonvitrified control embryos. These data demonstrate that a closed vitrification device (Rapid-i), which does not require direct liquid nitrogen contact for vitrification, is appropriate for vitrification and long-term storage of mouse embryos.

Vitrification of mouse embryos by vitroloop technique

The objective of the study was to vitrify mouse embryos with the cryoloop technology using a new combination of vitrification mediums. Embryos were exposed to a 2- step loading of CPA, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, before being placed on the surface of a thin filmy layer formed from the vitrification solution in a small nylon loop. After warming, the CPA was diluted out from the embryos by a 3-step procedure. Our data show that a high percentage of embryos survived (92.7%) vitrification in the mixture of EG and PG combined with cryoloop carrier and developing normally (89.1%) in vitro after thawing.

Vitrification of mouse embryos at 2-cell, 4-cell and 8-cell stages by cryotop method

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of vitrification on the preimplantation developmental competence of mouse 2-cell, 4-cell and 8-cell stage embryos. Mouse 2-cell, 4-cell and 8-cell stage embryos were cryopreserved using the cryotop vitrification method and subsequently warmed on a later date. The embryos were then assessed by their morphology, blastocyst formation and hatching rates. Additionally, trophectoderm (TE) and inner cell mass (ICM) cell numbers were compared in hatched blastocysts from the control and experimental groups. Vitrified embryos at the 2-cell, 4-cell and 8-cell stages appeared morphologically normal after warming. The overall survival rate of vitrified embryos at various stages after warming was 96.7% and there were no significant differences among 2-cell stage (96.0%), 4-cell stage (96.8%) and 8-cell stage (97.1%) embryos (P > 0.05). The blastocyst formation rate (69.4%) and hatching rate (52.6%) of vitrified 2-cell embryos were significantly lower than that from the control group and vitrified 8-cell embryos (P < 0.05). In the vitrified 4-cell embryo group, the blastocyst formation rate (90.3%) was similar to the 8-cell group (91.2%), but the hatching rate (60.0%) was significantly lower than that of the non-vitrified control ( 84.1%) and vitrified 8-cell embryo (78.4%) groups (P < 0.05). When further development to the fully hatched blastocyst stage was compared, hatched blastocysts derived from vitrified 2-cell, 4-cell and 8-cell embryos had significantly lower cell counts both in the ICM and TE, as compared to fresh blastocysts (P < 0.05). Among the vitrified 2-cell, 4-cell and 8-cell embryo groups, there were no significant differences in the cell counts of ICM and TE (P > 0.05). Although cryotop vitrification was suitable for the cryopreservation of mouse embryos from the 2-cell stage, 4-cell stage and 8-cell stage without significant loss of survival, vitrification had an adverse effect on the development of 2-cell embryos. Mouse embryos at the 8-cell stage had the best tolerance for vitrification and would yield the highest level of post-vitrification developmental competence among early cleavage stage embryos. Nevertheless, it is unclear how these findings can be extrapolated to human embryos.

Comparative Study between Slow Freezing and Vitrification of Mouse Embryos Using Different Cryoprotectants

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different cryoprotectants and different cryopreservation protocols on the development of mouse eight-cell embryos. Mouse eight-cell embryos were cryopreserved by using propylene glycerol (PROH), ethylene glycerol (EG), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or glycerol (G) as cryoprotectant with slow-freezing or Vit-Master vitrification protocol. After thawing, the survival rate, blastocyst formation rate and blastocyst hatching rate of the embryos were compared. When the mouse eight-cell embryos were cryopreserved by the slow-freezing, the survival rate, the blastocyst formation rate and the blastocyst hatching rate of the embryos with PROH were significantly higher than those of DMSO and G (p < 0.05, respectively), but not significantly different among those of DMSO, G and EG (p > 0.05, respectively), and not significantly different between those of PROH and EG (p > 0.05, respectively). When the mouse eight-cell embryos were cryopreserved by Vit-Master vitrification, the survival rate, the blastocyst formation rate and the blastocyst hatching rate of the embryos with EG were significantly higher than those of PROH, DMSO and G (p < 0.05, respectively). Yet, there were no significant differences among those of PROH, DMSO and G (p > 0.05, respectively). In conclusion, PROH was the optimal cryoprotectant for the cryopreservation of mouse eight-cell embryos by slow-freezing protocol. EG was the optimal cryoprotectant for the cryopresevation of mouse eight-cell embryos by Vit-Master vitrification protocol, which may be commonly used in clinical and laboratory practice.

Vitrification of mouse embryos using modified open system

Open systems have produced excellent results when used for embryo vitrification, but direct contact with liquid nitrogen (l-N2) raises concerns of microbial contamination. Avoiding contact with l-N2 by the use of closed systems reduces the concerns with contamination. We studied a modified-open system, where direct l-N2 contact is avoided, and compared outcomes with conventional open & closed systems for embryo vitrification.

Vitrification of mouse embryos in two cryoprotectant solutions

The objective of this study was to compare the efficiency of 2 media on the vitrification of mouse compacted morulae, early blastocysts and expanded blastocysts after equilibration at room temperature or 4°C. Embryos were equilibrated for 10 min in either 25% VS3 (Rall Equilibration Medium, REM) or 10% glycerol + 20% propylene glycol (Massip Equilibration Medium, MEM) in DPBS at 20°C or 4°C. For vitrification either 100% VS3 (Rall Vitrification Medium, RVM) or 25% glycerol + 25% propylene glycol (Massip Vitrification Medium, MVM) in DPBS was used. Embryos equilibrated at room temperature were loaded in 20 µL of vitrification media into 250 µL straws and then immediately (30 sec) plunged into liquid nitrogen (LN 2). After equilibration at 4°C the embryos were put into straws with 20 pl, of precooled vitrification medium, and after 20 min at 4°C they were plunged into LN 2. Embryos from both groups were thawed in a 20°C water bath for 20 sec, transferred to 1.0 M sucrose in DPBS for 5 min and then cultured for 24 to 48 h in Whitten's medium at 37°C in 5% CO 2 in air. In the groups of embryos prepared for vitrification at room temperature the survival rate of compact mondae vitrified in RVM was higher than those vitrified in MVM (65/70, 93% vs 49/74, 66%; P<0.01). No difference was found in the survival rate of early blastocysts and expanded blastocysts vitrified in RVM or MVM (30/83, 36% vs 25/75, 33% and 4/66, 6% vs 4/76, 5%). No difference was found between the survival rate of compact morulae after equilibration with RVM or MVM at 4°C (62/75, 83% vs 52174, 70%). Both the early blastocysts and expanded blastocysts equilibrated at 4°C MVM yielded a higher survival rate than RVM (28/74, 38% and 40/70, 57% vs 4/75, 5% and 4/77, 5%; P<0.01). We conclude that, of the 3 developmental stages, compact morulae withstand the vitrification process best, and reduction of the temperature prior to plunging into LN 2 is not required. A 10-fold increase in the survival rate of expanded blastocysts can be achieved using low temperature equilibration (4°C) and MVM.

Vitrification of mouse embryos in two cryoprotectant solutions

The photo-enhanced dissolution of semiconducting birnessite by organic reductants prevalently occurs in the euphotic zones of natural aquatic systems. However, the underlying photoelectrons transfer mechanisms and kinetic factors are not fully understood. In this study, the anoxic photoreduction of δ-MnO2 (a phase analogue for natural birnessite) by citrate under simulated solar irradiation at pH 4.0, 5.5 and 7.0 was investigated, and the structural evolution of δ-MnO2 during the reaction was examined. The photoreduction of δ-MnO2 was observed at all three pHs. ~86.0% and ~32.7% Mn2+ was released into the solution at pH 4.0 and 5.5, respectively; while negligible amount of dissolved Mn2+ was produced at pH 7.0. Mn average oxidation state (AOS) in both the bulk and surface of δ-MnO2 lowered significantly with decreasing pH (3.39/2.56, 3.57/3.07 and 3.78/3.19 in bulk/surface at pH 4.0, 5.5 and 7.0, respectively). The increase in the photoreduction rate and extent of δ-MnO2 at lower pHs indicated the photoelectron transfer was pH-dependent. From the amount of reduced Mn(III/II) in structure and Mn2+ in solution, the average photoelectron transfer amount per mol Mn was calculated as 1.81, 0.95 and 0.22 at pH 4.0, 5.5 and 7.0, respectively. The retention of Mn(II) (~13% in content) in the structure of reacted δ-MnO2 was only observed at pH 4.0 rather than higher pHs. The photoreduction of Mn(IV) involved two successive steps of single-electron transfer to produce Mn(III) and further Mn(II), and the above results suggested the second-step photoelectron transfer was more effective under acidic conditions. The potential difference between the conduction band (CB) and MnO2/Mn2+ half-reaction was enlarged as pH decreased, which conduced to the optimal effectiveness of photoelectron transfer and thorough reduction of Mn(IV/III) under lower pH conditions. The pH-dependent Mn photoreduction occurred throughout the structure of δ-MnO2, whereas for the dark reaction, the influence of pH on the reduction extent only took effect on the surface. These observations implied the dark-reaction electron transfer predominantly occurred at the surface sites. By contrast, according to the semiconductor energy band theory, the excited CB photoelectrons were shared by all atoms in the lattice of δ-MnO2, and each Mn atom had equal chance to be reduced by photoelectrons. Furthermore, the accumulation of photo-reduced and large-size Mn(III/II) in the layer caused the spatial expansion of the in-plane crystallization, and could possibly alter the layer symmetry or even promote the long-term structural transformation towards tunneled Mn oxides. This work provides insights into the photocatalytic geochemical performance of the naturally-abundant birnessite, which is influenced by varied pH conditions on Earth's surface.