title: Reconstruction of ooplasm recipient oocytes with frozen-thawed donor microcytoplasts and influence on the microtubular spindle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To cryopreserve micromanipulated ooplast segments (microcytoplasts) from mouse oocytes, compare microcytoplast and parent or recipient oocyte fusion performed within or without the zona pellucida, compare electrofusion of fresh or frozen oocyte with frozen-thawed microcytoplasts, and assess spindle integrity after reconstruction of oocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based experimental laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mouse (MII) oocytes obtained after superovulation (n = 363).
  
  
  METHODS
  Micromanipulation of oocytes (n = 363) into microcytoplasts (n = 181), cryopreservation of microcytoplasts along with parent and sibling control oocytes (n = 182), reconstruction by electrofusion of microcytoplast and parent or recipient oocyte performed with (group A, n = 35) or without a zona pellucida (group B, n = 32), comparison of electrofusion of fresh oocyte (group C, n = 40) or frozen oocyte (group D, n = 36) with frozen-thawed microcytoplasts fused within zona, and assessment of spindle morphology of reconstructed oocyte.
  
  
  METHODS
  Post-thaw survival, success of fusion, and spindle integrity as assessed by immunostaining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher success of post-thaw fusion was seen in group A (91.4%) compared with group B (56.2%). The post-thaw fusion of microcytoplasts with either fresh or frozen oocytes was not significantly different. Spindle integrity was 82.5% in group C as compared with 47.2% in group D.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microcytoplasts created from oocytes can be successfully cryopreserved, thawed, and used to reconstruct oocytes with intact spindles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA. agoud@med.wayne.edu
authors.forename: Anuradha P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Goud
authors.forename: Pravin T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Goud
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Diamond
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gonik
authors.forename: Dmitri I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Dozortsev
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002459:Cell Fusion; D002470:Cell Survival; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008845:Microinjections; D008870:Microtubules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000502:physiology