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Slow and ultrarapid cryopreservation of biopsied mouse blastocysts and its effect on DNA integrity index

  • Fertility Preservation
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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of slow and ultra-rapid freezing on biopsied blastocysts’ DNA integrity.

Methods

Forty eight mouse blastocysts were biopsied of which 16 were cryopreserved by slowly freezing and 17 by vitrification. Fourteen intact blastocysts were slowly cryopreserved and 24 were vitrified. Eighteen fresh intact blastocysts and fifteen biopsied blastocysts served as controls. The DNA integrity index of all blastocysts was evaluated using (TUNEL) staining and confocal imaging

Results

Both slow freezing and vitrification of biopsied blastocysts induced apoptosis to a similar extent. Biopsying blastocysts before vitrification resulted in less apoptosis than vitrification of intact blastocysts.

Conclusion

Slow freezing and vitrification are equal options for preservation of biopsied blastocysts as regards the DNA integrity index (DII). Biopsied blastocysts better tolerate vitrification than intact expanded blastocysts.

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Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge Dr Hussein Abdelrazik for his assistance in the biopsy procedures.

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Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ashok Agarwal.

Additional information

Presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, San Francisco, CA, 2008

Capsule

Biopsied blastocysts are negatively affected by slow freezing and vitrification to the same extent. Biopsied blastocysts can better tolerate vitrification than intact blastocysts as regards their DNA integrity.

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Kader, A., Falcone, T., Sharma, R.K. et al. Slow and ultrarapid cryopreservation of biopsied mouse blastocysts and its effect on DNA integrity index. J Assist Reprod Genet 27, 509–515 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9441-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9441-4

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