title: Synthetic and biological macromolecules: protection of mouse embryos during cryopreservation by vitrification.
abstract: The ability of macromolecules to protect 8-cell mouse embryos during a vitrification protocol was assessed by the comparison of a synthetic macromolecule, polyvinylpyrrolidone (in the form of Percoll), and a biological macromolecule, human serum albumin (HSA). Vitrification solutions, which included glycerol (50% v/v), sucrose (0.75 mol/l) and either macromolecule Percoll (50% v/v) or HSA (1.125% w/v), were found to provide similar rates of survival. Both compounds resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence of disruption to the zonae pellucidae of cryopreserved embryos, to 4.8 +/- 1.3% and 10.3 +/- 1.2% respectively, when compared to the outcome when neither was present in the vitrification solution (20.4 +/- 2.5%; P < 0.01). Polyvinylpyrrolidone in the form of Percoll offers advantages over HSA in this work: it provides a lower rate of zona disruption and avoids the need for screening for pathogenic contaminants such as human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B and C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biology, University of Hull, UK.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Titterington
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Killick
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000502:physiology; D015925:Cryopreservation; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D011205:Povidone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012709:Serum Albumin; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012996:Solutions; D013395:Sucrose
chemical_list: D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D012709:Serum Albumin; D012996:Solutions; D013395:Sucrose; C016039:Percoll; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D011205:Povidone; D005990:Glycerol