Skin storage in liquid nitrogen. An ultrastructural investigation.

The problem of cell survival as well as the biochemical and histological effects on skin of low temperature storage in liquid nitrogen has already received attention. However, little is known of the submicroscopic alterations induced by such treatment. Our study shows that rapid or slow freezing, direct or mediate contact with the liquid nitrogen, pretreatment before freezing, type and concentration of cryoprotectants, all have various effects on the fine morphology of epidermal cells. Glycerol is shown as having better cryoprotective activity than DMSO at concentrations of 15% or less. Our data are examined taking into account all available reports on the problem of cryopreservation and the use of cryoprotectants.