Vitrification of mouse pronuclear embryos after polar body biopsy without direct contact with liquid nitrogen.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the viability of vitrified mouse pronuclear embryos after polar body biopsy by cooling directly in liquid nitrogen in comparison with cooling in closed 0.5 mL straw (aseptic system).


METHODS
In vitro culture after vitrification.


METHODS
Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Bonn, Germany.


METHODS
Superovulated mice.


METHODS
Biopsied embryos were vitrified, warmed, and cultured in vitro.


METHODS
Development after warming.


RESULTS
Development rates up to expanded blastocyst stage after in vitro culture were 25% in group with "direct" vitrification and 23% in group with "straw in straw" vitrification.


CONCLUSIONS
Cryopreservation of biopsied mouse pronuclear embryos in open-pulled straws, which are placed inside a hermetically closed container, guarantees a complete isolation of embryos from liquid nitrogen and avoids potential contamination by pathogenic microorganisms. The combination of plunging this container into liquid nitrogen and rapid warming makes this process as efficient as conventional vitrification.
Isachenko
Vladimir
V
Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. vovaisachenko@yahoo.com
Montag
Markus
M
Isachenko
Evgenia
E
van der Ven
Hans
H
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D015053:Zygote / Q000166:cytology*