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Cryopreservation of Mammalian Oocytes

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Cryopreservation and Freeze-Drying Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1257))

Abstract

Two methods for the laboratory-focused cryopreservation of mammalian oocytes are described, based on work with murine oocytes. One method uses a relatively low concentration of the cryoprotectant propanediol plus sucrose and requires controlled rate cooling equipment to achieve a slow cooling rate. Such a method has also produced live births from cryopreserved human oocytes. The second method described employs a high concentration of the cryoprotectant dimethyl sulfoxide plus a low concentration of polyethylene glycol. This is a vitrification method which involves ultrarapid cooling by plunging standard straws into liquid nitrogen vapor, hence avoiding the need for specialized equipment, but requires technical ability to manipulate the oocytes quickly in the highly concentrated cryoprotectant solutions. Murine oocytes vitrified using this technique has resulted in live births.

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Acknowledgement

We would like to gratefully acknowledge the significant role played by Dr Sharon Paynter, who as a collaborator over many years developed the practical aspects of the two methods described in this chapter.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Andrology and Sexual Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Stockholm

    Victoria Keros M.D., Ph.D.

  2. Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Novum, SE-141 86, Stockholm, Sweden

    Victoria Keros M.D., Ph.D.

  3. University College London Medical School, London, UK

    Barry J. Fuller

Authors
  1. Victoria Keros M.D., Ph.D.
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  2. Barry J. Fuller
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Victoria Keros M.D., Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Multiphase Processes, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany

    Willem F. Wolkers

  2. Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany

    Harriëtte Oldenhof

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Keros, V., Fuller, B.J. (2015). Cryopreservation of Mammalian Oocytes. In: Wolkers, W., Oldenhof, H. (eds) Cryopreservation and Freeze-Drying Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1257. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2193-5_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2193-5_11

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2192-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2193-5

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