ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Because of the special and complicated biological characteristics of oocytes, the suitable cyropreservation technology for oocytes faces more various chalenges. However, the uneven survival rate and fertilization, damages of developmental potential of the thawed oocyte stil exist. OBJECTIVE:To introduce the progress in basic and application researches of oocyte cryopreservation technology, and to iluminate the technical defects and thoughts and possible research points to overcome these problems. METHODS: A computer-based search of CNKI and PubMed was performed for articles concerning oocyte cryopreservation from January 2004 to October 2014. The search terms were oocyte, cryopreservation, vitrification in Chinese and English, respectively. The old and repeated articles were excluded. Finaly, 41 articles were included in result analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The cryopreservation of oocytes by slow freezing and vitrification has been used in clinic. At the same time, the uneven survival and fertilization rate, damaged developmental potential of the thawed oocyte stil puzzle the clinicians. The key point to breakthrough or improvement of oocyte cryopreservation technology is the systematization of the protocol for oocylte cryopreservation, for example, the choice of cryoprotective agents, the development of carriers for oocytes, and the determination of oocyte stage. Furthermore, other related technologies should also be considered, including thein vitro mature technology of oocytes, cryopreservation and transplantation of ovary tissues.