Effects of 1,2-propanediol and freezing-thawing on the in vitro developmental capacity of human immature oocytes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate effects of 1,2-propanediol and freezing-thawing treatment on the maturation and developmental capacity of the human immature oocytes obtained from unstimulated ovaries.


METHODS
Intact cumulus-enclosed immature oocytes collected from unstimulated ovaries were divided into three groups, such as no treatment as control (group 1), only 1,2-propanediol-treated (group 2), and cryopreserved group (group 3). Oocytes in group 1, group 2, and survived oocytes from cryopreservation in group 3 were cultured for 48 hours. A random selection of matured oocytes was inseminated with normal donor sperm to evaluate the fertilization and developmental capacity.


METHODS
Infertility Medical Center at the CHA General Hospital, Seoul, Korea.


METHODS
Oocytes were obtained from patients undergoing gynecological surgery.


METHODS
Rates of survival, maturation to metaphase II, fertilization, and cleavage.


RESULTS
Survival rate after freezing-thawing in group 3 was 55.1% (54/98). Oocytes were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum, 10 IU/mL pregnant mare serum gonadotropin, and 10 IU/mL hCG. Maturation rates were 76.8% (63/82), 67.1% (47/70), and 59.3% (32/54) in the groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Maturation rate in group 3 was significantly lower than that of group 1. Fertilization rates were 90.5% (19/21), 81.0% (17/21), and 42.9% (6/14), and cleavage rates were 94.7% (18/19), 88.2% (15/17), and 16.7% (1/6) in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Fertilization and cleavage rates of survived oocytes in group 3 also were significantly lower than those of groups 1 and 2.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that the pretreatment with 1.5 M 1,2-propanediol itself before the freezing has no inhibitory effect on the maturation, fertilization, and cleavage of human immature oocytes in vitro. However, the freezing-thawing procedure used had detrimental effects on the maturation and developmental capacity.
Son
W Y
WY
Infertility Medical Center, CHA General Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Park
S E
SE
Lee
K A
KA
Lee
W S
WS
Ko
J J
JJ
Yoon
T K
TK
Cha
K Y
KY
D000328:Adult; D002470:Cell Survival; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum; D015925:Cryopreservation; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D019946:Propylene Glycol; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology*
D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D019946:Propylene Glycol