Fluorescein diacetate assessment of embryo viability after ultrarapid freezing of human multipronucleate embryos.
OBJECTIVE
To assess embryo viability after ultrarapid freezing-thawing.


METHODS
We studied the fluorescence pattern of 35 ultrarapidly frozen-thawed multipronucleate human embryos exposed to fluorescein diacetate.


METHODS
All the embryos were obtained from the Medical Center for Fertility Diagnostics and In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer at Leuven (Belgium), a private care center.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
The fluorescence pattern was evaluated at room temperature after a 1-minute incubation in fluorescein diacetate solution, 4 hours and 24 hours after thawing.


RESULTS
Healthy human multipronucleate embryos, when exposed to fluorescein diacetate, accumulated intracellular fluorescein and fluoresced brightly under ultraviolet light. On the other hand, embryos presenting submicroscopic cell membranes damage caused by different processes (e.g., high or low temperatures) lost the ability to accumulate intracellular fluorescein. All the ultrarapidly frozen embryos with normal looking blastomeres fluoresced brightly after a short exposure to fluorescein diacetate.


CONCLUSIONS
Our experiments indicate an intact cell membrane permeability and an integrity of the intracytoplasmatic esterase enzyme activity of human embryos ultrarapidly frozen.
Noto
V
V
Medical Center for Fertility Diagnostics and In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer, Leuven, Belgium.
Campo
R
R
Roziers
P
P
Gordts
S
S
D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology*; D002470:Cell Survival; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans
D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; C018506:diacetylfluorescein