Slow and ultrarapid cryopreservation of biopsied mouse blastocysts and its effect on DNA integrity index.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of slow and ultra-rapid freezing on biopsied blastocysts' DNA integrity.


METHODS
Forty eight mouse blastocysts were biopsied of which 16 were cryopreserved by slowly freezing and 17 by vitrification. Fourteen intact blastocysts were slowly cryopreserved and 24 were vitrified. Eighteen fresh intact blastocysts and fifteen biopsied blastocysts served as controls. The DNA integrity index of all blastocysts was evaluated using (TUNEL) staining and confocal imaging


RESULTS
Both slow freezing and vitrification of biopsied blastocysts induced apoptosis to a similar extent. Biopsying blastocysts before vitrification resulted in less apoptosis than vitrification of intact blastocysts.


CONCLUSIONS
Slow freezing and vitrification are equal options for preservation of biopsied blastocysts as regards the DNA integrity index (DII). Biopsied blastocysts better tolerate vitrification than intact expanded blastocysts.
Center For Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute and Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
Amr
A
Kader
Tommaso
T
Falcone
Rakesh K
RK
Sharma
Devna
D
Mangrola
Ashok
A
Agarwal
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001755:Blastocyst; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis