Effect of Ethylene Glycol (EG) and 1,2-Propanediol (PROH) on the Survival and the Development of Mouse and Human Embryosafter Slow Freezing/Rapid Thawing Protocol / 대한불임학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study were to compare the effects of EG and PROH on cryopreservation of mouse and human embryos, and to find the optimal protocol for embryo freezing. METHODS: Human embryos derived from fertilized eggs showing 3 pronuclei (PN) and mouse embryos were divided into two groups respectively dehydrated with 1.5 M EG+0.2 M sucrose or 1.5 M PROH+0.2 M sucrose using the slow freezing method. Moreover mouse embryos were controlled the exposure time of cryoprotectant during dehydration or rehydration steps. RESULTS: The survival rates of human embryos were 79.2% (84/106) in EG group and 77.9% (88/113) in PROH group. In mouse embryos, the survival and development rates up to blastocyst were 70.6% (245/347), 44.1% (123/279) in EG group and 62.1% (198/319), 45.1% (123/279) in PROH group, respectively. However, in EG group, partially damaged embryos after thawing were decreased compared to PROH group. In combination group, when the exposure time during dehydration and rehydration were reduced, the survival and embryonic developments were increased slightly, but not significant. CONCLUSION: Cryopreservation of mouse and human embryos at cleavage stage by using EG or PROH exhibited no statistical difference in the survival rate and/or developmental rate to blastocyst. However, the use of EG for cryopreservation of embryos might reduce the exposure time of the cryoprotectant because of a high permeation of EG and result in lessen its toxic effects.