Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
Hostname: page-component-669899f699-rg895 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-05-05T12:23:27.815Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

36 - Cryopreservation of oocytes

from Section 6 - Technology and clinical medicine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 October 2013

By
Alan Trounson  and
Laura Rienzi
Edited by
Alan Trounson ,
Roger Gosden  and
Ursula Eichenlaub-Ritter
Alan Trounson
Affiliation:
Californian Institute for Regenerative Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
Laura Rienzi
Affiliation:
Centro GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
Alan Trounson
Affiliation:
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Roger Gosden
Affiliation:
Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Cornell University, New York
Ursula Eichenlaub-Ritter
Affiliation:
Universität Bielefeld, Germany
Get access

Summary

Introduction

Oocyte cryopreservation is a major issue in human reproductive medicine. The need to cryopreserve oocytes rather than embryos is not limited to countries with restrictive legislation. In fact, all the major clinical applications rely on fertility preservation for both medical and non-medical reasons [1–4] and for oocyte donation programs [5–7].

The first success in freezing human oocytes was reported by Chen [8] using a slow-cooling method in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the cryoprotectant. The technique was essentially a modification of that used for cryopreservation of human embryos, which in turn had evolved from methods applied for freezing mouse and cattle embryos. Out of 40 thawed oocytes, the reported survival, fertilization, and cleavage rates were 80%, 83%, and 60%, respectively. Despite the technique resulting in a twin pregnancy, its adoption in human reproductive medicine was delayed, due to the failure to reproduce the results reported. Concerns were expressed about the difficulty in dehydrating and cooling human oocytes due to their large volume, the sensitive nature of the metaphase nucleus, premature cortical granule release, and interruption to intercellular ultrastructure [9, 10].

Type
Chapter
Information
Biology and Pathology of the Oocyte
Role in Fertility, Medicine and Nuclear Reprograming
 , pp. 420 - 429
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2013

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Book purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Cobo, A, Domingo, J, Perez, S, et al. Vitrification: an effective new approach to oocyte banking and preserving fertility in cancer patients. Clin Transl Oncol 2008; 10: 268–73.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Noyes, N, Labella, PA, Grifo, J, Knopman, JM. Oocyte cryopreservation: a feasible fertility preservation option for reproductive age cancer survivors. J Assist Reprod Genet 2010; 27: 495–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Noyes, N, Knopman, JM, Melzer, K, et al. Oocyte cryopreservation as a fertility preservation measure for cancer patients. Reprod Biomed Online 2011; 23: 323–33.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stoop, D, Nekkebroeck, J, Devroey, P. A survey on the intentions and attitudes towards oocyte cryopreservation for non-medical reasons among women of reproductive age. Hum Reprod 2011; 26: 655–61.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cobo, A, Kuwayama, M, Perez, S, et al. Comparison of concomitant outcome achieved with fresh and cryopreserved donor oocytes vitrified by the Cryotop method. Fertil Steril 2008; 89:1657–64.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nagy, ZP, Chang, CC, Shapiro, DB, et al. Clinical evaluation of the efficiency on an oocyte donation program using egg cryo-banking. Fertil Steril 2009; 92: 520–26.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cobo, A, Meseguer, M, Remohi, J, Pellicer, A. Use of cyo-banked oocytes in an ovum donation programme: a prospective, randomized, controlled, clinical trial. Hum Reprod 2010; 25: 2239–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chen, C.Pregnancy after human oocyte cryopreservation. Lancet 1986; 1: 884–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sathananthan, AH, Trounson, A, Freeman, L.Morphology and fertilizability of frozen human oocytes. Gamete Res 1987; 16: 343–54.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sathananthan, AH, Trounson, A, Freeman, L, Brady, T.The effects of cooling human oocytes. Hum Reprod 1988; 3: 968–77.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mandelbaum, J, Belaisch-Allart, J, Junca, AM, et al. Cryopreservation in human assisted reproduction is now routine for embryos but remains a research procedure for oocytes. Hum Reprod 1998; 13 Suppl 3: 161–74.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tucker, MJ, Morton, PC, Wright, G, Sweitzer, CL, Massey, JB.Clinical application of human egg cryopreservation. Hum Reprod 1998; 13: 3156–59.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kuleshova, L, Gianaroli, L, Magli, MC, Ferraretti, A, Trounson, A.Birth following vitrification of a small number of human oocytes: a case report. Hum Reprod 1999; 14: 3077–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scaravelli, G, Vigiliano, V, Mayorga, JM, et al. Analysis of oocyte crypreservation in assisted reproduction: the Italian National Register data from 2005 to 2007. Reprod Biomed Online 2010; 21: 496–500.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Saragusty, J, Arav, A.Current progress in oocyte and embryo cryopreservation by slow freezing and vitrification. Reproduction 2011; 141: 1–19.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Leibo, SP, Mazur, P. The role of cooling rates in low-temperature preservation. Cryobiology 1971; 8: 8447–52.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Whittingham, DG, Leibo, SP, Mazur, P. Survival of mouse embryos frozen to −196 degrees and −269 degrees C. Science 1972; 178: 411–14.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Leibo, SP, Mazur, P, Jackowski, SC.Factors affecting survival of mouse embryos during freezing and thawing. Exp Cell Res 1974; 89: 79–88.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mazur, P, Rall, WF, Leibo, SP.Kinetics of water loss and the likelihood of intracellular freezing in mouse ova. Influence of the method of calculating the temperature dependence of water permeability. Cell Biophys 1984; 6: 197–213.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MacFarlane, DR.Physical aspects of vitrification in aqueous solutions. Cryobiology 1987; 24: 181–95.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fahy, GM, Levy, DI, Ali, SE.Some emerging principles underlying the physical properties, biological actions, and utility of vitrification solutions. Cryobiology 1987; 24: 196–213.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fahy, GM.Cryoprotectant toxicity neutralization. Cryobiology 2010; 60(3 Suppl): S45–53.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fahy, GM, Wowk, B, Wu, J, Paynter, S.Improved vitrification solutions based on the predictability of vitrification toxicity. Cryobiology 2004; 48: 22–35.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wright, DL, Eroglu, A, Toner, M, Toth, TL.Use of sugars in cryopreserving human oocytes. Reprod Biomed Online 2004; 9: 179–86.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kuwayama, M, Vajta, G, Kato, O, Leibo, SP.Highly efficient vitrification method for the cryopreservation of human oocytes. Reprod Biomed Online 2005; 11: 300–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kuwayama, M.Highly efficient vitrification for cryopreservation of human oocytes and embryos: the Cryotop method. Theriogenology 2007; 67: 73–80.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Seki, S, Mazur, P.Effect of warming rate on the survival of vitrified mouse oocytes and on the recrystallization of intracellular ice. Biol Reprod 2008; 79: 727–37.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Seki, S, Mazur, P .The dominance of warming rate over cooling rate in the survival of mouse oocytes subject to a vitrification procedure. Cryobiology 2009; 59: 75–82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Seki, S, Mazur, P.Stability of mouse oocytes at −80 °C: the role of recrystallization of intracellular ice. Reproduction 2011; 141: 407–15.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tucker, M, Wright, G, Morton, P, et al. Preliminary experience with human oocyte cryopreservation using 1,2-propanediol and sucrose. Hum Reprod 1996; 11: 1513–15.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Porcu, E, Fabbri, R, Seracchioli, R, et al. Birth of a healthy female after intracytoplasmic sperm injection of cryopreserved human oocytes. Fertil Steril 1997; 68(4): 724–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chia, CM, Chan, WB, Quah, E, Cheng, LC.Triploid pregnancy after ICSI of frozen testicular spermatozoa into cryopreserved human oocytes: case report. Hum Reprod 2000; 15: 1962–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Allan, J.Case report: pregnancy from intracytoplasmic injection of a frozen-thawed oocyte. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2004; 44: 588.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Borini, A, Lagalla, C, Bonu, MA, et al. Cumulative pregnancy rates resulting from the use of fresh and frozen oocytes: 7 years’ experience. Reprod Biomed Online 2006; 12: 481–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Magli, C, Lappi, M, Farretti, AP, et al. Impact of cryopreservation on embryo development. Fertil Steril 2010; 93: 510–16.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fabbri, R, Porcu, E, Marsella, T, et al. Human oocyte cryopreservation: new perspectives regarding oocyte survival. Hum Reprod 2001; 16: 411–16.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chen, ZJ, Li, M, Zhao, LX, et al. Effects of sucrose concentration on the developmental potential of human frozen-thawed oocytes at different stages of maturity. Hum Reprod 2004; 19: 2345–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Levi Setti, PE, Albani, E, Novara, PV, Cesana, A, Morreale, G.Cryopreservation of supernumerary oocytes in IVF/ICSI cycles. Hum Reprod 2006; 21: 370–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
De Santis, L, Cino, I, Rabellotti, E, et al. Oocyte cryopreservation: clinical outcome of slow-cooling protocols differing in sucrose concentration. Reprod Biomed Online 2007; 14: 57–63.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stackechi, JJ, Cohen, J, Willadsen, GM.Detrimental effects of sodium during mouse oocyte cryopreservation. Biol Reprod 1998; 59: 395–400.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Quintans, CJ, Donaldson, MJ, Bertolino, MV, Pasqualini, RS.Birth of two babies using oocytes that were cryopreserved in a choline-based freezing medium. Hum Reprod 2002; 17: 3149–52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Boldt, J, Tidswell, N, Sayers, A, Kilani, R, Cline, D.Human oocyte cryopreservation: 5-year experience with a sodium-depleted slow freezing method. Reprod Biomed Online 2006; 13: 96–100.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gook, DA, Edgar, DH.Human oocyte cryopreservation. Hum Reprod Update 2007; 13: 591–605.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mazur, P, Seki, S.Survival of mouse oocytes after being cooled in a vitrification solution to −196 °C at 95° to 70,000°C/min and warmed at 610° to 118,000 °C/min: a new paradigm for cryopreservation by vitrification. Cryobiology 2011; 62(1): 1–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kuwayama, M.Vitrification of human oocytes. Reprod Biomed Online 2010; 20(Suppl 3): S3 (Abstr.).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Antinori, M, Licata, E, Dani, G, et al. Cryotop vitrification of human oocytes results in high survival rate and healthy deliveries. Reprod Biomed Online 2007; 14: 72–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rienzi, L, Romano, S, Albricci, L, et al. Embryo development of fresh“versus” vitrified metaphase II oocytes after ICSI: a prospective randomized sibling-oocyte study. Human Reprod 2010; 25: 66–73.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ubaldi, F, Anniballo, R, Romano, S, et al. Cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate achieved with oocyte vitrification and cleavage stage transfer without embryo selection in a standard infertility program. Hum Reprod 2010; 25: 1199–205.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rienzi, L, Cobo, A, Paffoni, A, et al. Consistent and predictable delivery rates after oocytes vitrification: an observational longitudinal cohort multicentric study. Hum Reprod 2012; 27(6): 1606–12.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Grifo, JA, Noyes, N.Delivery rate using cryopreserved oocytes is comparable to conventional in vitro fertilization using fresh oocytes: potential fertility preservation for female cancer patients. Fertil Steril 2010; 93: 391–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Noyes, N, Knopman, J, Labella, P, et al. Oocyte cryopreservation outcomes including pre-cryopreservation and post-thaw meiotic splindle evaluation following slow cooling and vitrification of human oocytes. Fertil Steril 2010; 94: 2078–82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fadini, R, Brambillasca, R, Renzini, MM, et al. Human oocyte cryopreservation: comparison between slow and ultrarapid methods. Reprod Biomed Online 2009; 19: 171–80.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cao, YX, Xing, Q, Li, L, et al. Comparison of survival and embryonic development in human oocytes cryopreserved by slow-freezing and vitrification. Fertil Steril 2009; 92: 1306–11.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, GD, Serafini, PC, Fioravanti, J, et al. Prospective randomized comparison of human oocyte cryopreservation with slow-rate freezing or vitrification. Fertil Steril 2010; 94: 2088–95.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gualtieri, R, Mollo, V, Barbato, V, Fiorentino, I, Iaccarino, M.Ultrastructure and intracellular calcium response during activation in vitrified and slow-frozen oocytes. Hum Reprod 2011; 26: 2452–60.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cobo, A, Diaz, C.Clinical application of oocyte vitrification: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Fertil Steril 2011; 96: 277–85.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bianchi, V, Lappi, M, Bonu, MA, Borini, A.Oocyte slow freezing using a 0.2–0.3 M sucrose concentration protocol: is it really the time to trash the cryopreservation machine? Fertil Steril 2012; 97(5): 1101–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Practice Committees of American Society for Reproductive Medicine; Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. Ovarian tissue and oocyte cryopreservation. Fertil Steril 2008 90(5 Suppl): S241–6.
Practice Committee of American Society for Reproductive Medicine; Practice Committee of Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. Mature oocyte cryopreservation: a guideline. Fertil Steril 2013; 99(1): 37–43.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bromfield, JJ, Coticchio, G, Hutt, K, et al. Meiotic spindle dynamics in human oocytes following slow-cooling cryopreservation. Hum Reprod 2009; 24: 2114–23.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Noyes, N, Porcu, E, Borini, A.Over 900 oocyte cryopreservation babies born with no apparent increase in congenital anomalies. Reprod Biomed Online 2009;18(6): 769–76.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×