Cryopreservation of ICR mouse oocytes: improved post-thawed preimplantation development after vitrification using Taxol, a cytoskeleton stabilizer.
OBJECTIVE
To establish an effective cryopreservation method.


METHODS
In vitro model study.


METHODS
Infertility Medical Center, Pochon CHA University.


METHODS
Four-week-old ICR mice superovulated with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin.


METHODS
Vitrified-thawed oocytes were fertilized and subsequently cultured in vitro.


METHODS
Post-thawed development, chromosome/spindle normalities, and blastocyst quality.


RESULTS
More cumulus-enclosed oocytes were fertilized and developed to the 8-cell stage after vitrification and thawing than denuded oocytes. However, cryopreserved oocytes of both types had lower spindle and chromosome normalities than fresh oocytes, which resulted in reduced developmental competence after thawing. The addition of 1 microM of Taxol, a cytoskeleton stabilizer, to vitrification solution greatly promoted the blastocyst formation of vitrified-thawed oocytes, compared with no addition (24.0% vs. 58.6%). No difference in blastocyst quality, which was evaluated by blastomere and inner cell mass cell numbers and inner cell mass cell per trophoblast ratio, was found between fresh oocytes and oocytes vitrified with Taxol.


CONCLUSIONS
A vitrification solution consisting of 5.5 M ethylene glycol, 1.0 M sucrose, 10% fetal bovine serum, and 1 microM Taxol greatly improved post-thawed development of vitrified oocytes.
Park
S E
SE
Infertility Medical Center of CHA General Hospital, College of Medicine, Pochon CHA University, Seoul, South Korea.
Chung
H M
HM
Cha
K Y
KY
Hwang
W S
WS
Lee
E S
ES
Lim
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000517:prevention & control; D025063:Chromosome Disorders; D015925:Cryopreservation; D046508:Culture Techniques; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000502:physiology
D017239:Paclitaxel