Top

Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics

Published in:

01-04-2011 | Technical Innovations

In vitro and in vivo viability of human blastocysts collapsed by laser pulse or osmotic shock prior to vitrification

Authors: Hiroshi Iwayama, Shinichi Hochi, Masanori Yamashita

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 4/2011

Abstract

Purpose

This study was designed to investigate whether artificial shrinkage, induced by a laser pulse or hyperosmotic sucrose solutions, improves in vitro survival and/or implantation of vitrified-warmed human expanded blastocysts.

Methods

Before Cryotop vitrification, the blastocoelic cavity was collapsed either by a laser pulse or sucrose solutions. Non-treated blastocysts were used as control. Post-warm blastocyst survival and implantation after transfer were examined. Implantation rate outcome was retrospectively analyzed by morphological grading and developmental kinetics of post-warm blastocysts.

Results

Survival rates in the three groups were high. Implantation rates in the laser-pulse group (59.7%) were comparable with those in the sucrose group (49.3%), and were significantly higher than those in the control group (34.2%). The proportion of blastocysts showing fast development tended to be higher when the blastocysts underwent artificial shrinkage treatment before vitrification. There was no clear correlation between morphology of post-warm blastocysts and implantation rate.

Conclusion

Artificial shrinkage treatment before vitrification is associated with an increased probability of fast-developing embryos, resulting in higher implantation rates.

Trounson A, Mohr L. Human pregnancy following cryopreservation, thawing and transfer of an eight-cell embryo. Nature. 1983;305:707–9.PubMedCrossRef

Zeilmaker GH, Alberda AT, van Gent I, Rijkmans CM, Drogendijk AC. Two pregnancies following transfer of intact frozen-thawed embryos. Fertil Steril. 1984;42:293–6.PubMed

Gardner DK, Lane M. Culture of viable human blastocysts in defined sequential serum-free media. Hum Reprod. 1998;13 Suppl 3:148–59.PubMed

Gardner DK, Schoolcraft WB, Wagley L, Schlenker T, Stevens J, Hesla J. A prospective randomized trial of blastocyst culture and transfer in in-vitro fertilization. Hum Reprod. 1998;13:3434–40.PubMedCrossRef

Ménézo Y, Nicollet B, Herbaut N, André D. Freezing cocultured human blastocysts. Fertil Steril. 1992;58:977–80.PubMed

Yokota Y, Sato S, Yokota M, Ishikawa Y, Makita M, Asada T, et al. Successful pregnancy following blastocyst vitrification: case report. Hum Reprod. 2000;15:1802–3.PubMedCrossRef

Kuwayama M, Kato O. All-round vitrification method for human oocytes and embryos. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2000;17:477. abstract.

Cho HJ, Son WY, Yoon SH, Lee SW, Lim JH. An improved protocol for dilution of cryoprotectants from vitrified human blastocysts. Hum Reprod. 2002;17:2419–22.PubMedCrossRef

Vanderzwalmen P, Bertin G, Debauche C, Standaert V, Bollen N, van Roosendaal E, et al. Vitrification of human blastocysts with the hemi-straw carrier: application of assisted hatching after thawing. Hum Reprod. 2003;18:1504–11.PubMedCrossRef

10.

Mukaida T, Nakamura S, Tomiyama T, Wada S, Kasai M, Takahashi K. Successful birth after transfer of vitrified human blastocysts with use of a cryoloop containerless technique. Fertil Steril. 2001;76:618–20.PubMedCrossRef

11.

Kuwayama M, Vajta G, Ieda S, Kato O. Comparison of open and closed methods for vitrification of human embryos and the elimination of potential contamination. Reprod Biomed Online. 2005;11:608–14.PubMedCrossRef

12.

Gardner DK, Lane M, Stevens J, Schlenker T, Schoolcraft WB. Blastocyst score affects implantation and pregnancy outcome: towards a single blastocyst transfer. Fertil Steril. 2000;73:1155–8.PubMedCrossRef

13.

Iwayama H, Korekane M, Hara T, Hirai Y, Tokonami K, Kimura H, et al. Clinical application of a microwell system to in vitro culture of human preimplantation embryos. J Mammal Ova Res. 2008;5:167–71.CrossRef

14.

Vanderzwalmen P, Bertin G, Debauche Ch, Standaert V, van Roosendaal E, Vandervorst M, et al. Births after vitrification at morula and blastocyst stages: effect of artificial reduction of the blastocoelic cavity before vitrification. Hum Reprod. 2002;17:744–51.PubMedCrossRef

15.

Mukaida T, Oka C, Goto T, Takahashi K. Artificial shrinkage of blastocoeles using either a micro-needle or a laser pulse prior to the cooling steps of vitrification improves survival rate and pregnancy outcome of vitrified human blastocysts. Hum Reprod. 2006;21:3246–52.PubMedCrossRef

16.

Son WY, Yoon SH, Yoon HJ, Lee SM, Lim JH. Pregnancy outcome following transfer of human blastocysts vitrified on electron microscopy grids after induced collapse of the blastocoele. Hum Reprod. 2003;18:137–9.PubMedCrossRef

17.

Hiraoka K, Hiraoka K, Kinutani M, Kinutani K. Blastocoele collapse by micropipetting prior to vitrification gives excellent survival and pregnancy outcomes for human day 5 and 6 expanded blastocysts. Hum Reprod. 2004;19:2884–8.PubMedCrossRef

18.

Iwayama H, Hochi S, Yamashita M. Low stretching ability of human oolemma during piezo-ICSI as a risk factor on post-injection survival and implantation. J Mammal Ova Res. 2010;27:150–6.CrossRef

19.

Biggers JD, Racowsky C. The development of fertilized human ova to the blastocyst stage in KSOM (AA) medium: is a two-step protocol necessary? Reprod Biomed Online. 2002;5:133–40.PubMedCrossRef

20.

Gardner DK, Schoolcraft WB: In-vitro culture of human blastocyst. In Towards Reproductive Certainty: Infertility and Genetics Beyond, R Jansen, D Mortimer (eds), Carnforth, Parthenon Press, 1999, pp 378–388

21.

Shu Y, Watt J, Gebhardt J, Dasig J, Appling J, Behr B. The value of fast blastocoele re-expansion in the selection of a viable thawed blastocyst for transfer. Fertil Steril. 2009;91:401–6.PubMedCrossRef

22.

Stehlik E, Stehlik J, Katayama KP, Kuwayama M, Jambor V, Brohammer R, et al. Vitrification demonstrates significant improvement versus slow freezing of human blastocysts. Reprod Biomed Online. 2005;11:53–7.PubMedCrossRef

23.

Liebermann J, Tucker MJ. Comparison of vitrification and conventional cryopreservation of day 5 and day 6 blastocysts during clinical application. Fertil Steril. 2006;86:20–6.PubMedCrossRef

24.

Desai N, Szeptycki J, Scott M, AbdelHafez FF, Goldfarb J. Artificial collapse of blastocysts before vitrification: mechanical vs. laser technique and effect on survival, cell number, and cell death in early and expanded blastocysts. Cell Preserv Tech. 2008;6:181–90.CrossRef

25.

Mazur P. Kinetics of water loss from cells at subzero temperatures and the likelihood of intracellular freezing. J Gen Physiol. 1963;47:347–69.PubMedCrossRef

26.

Desai N, Goldfarb J. Examination of frozen cycles with replacement of a single thawed blastocyst. Reprod Biomed Online. 2005;11:349–54.PubMedCrossRef

27.

Guerif F, Cadoret V, Poindron J, Lansac J, Royere D. Overnight incubation improves selection of frozen-thawed blastocysts for transfer: preliminary study using supernumerary embryos. Theriogenology. 2003;60:1457–66.PubMedCrossRef

28.

Leoni GG, Berlinguer F, Succu S, Bebbere D, Mossa F, Madeddu M, et al. A new selection criterion to assess good quality ovine blastocysts after vitrification and to predict their transfer into recipients. Mol Reprod Dev. 2008;75:373–82.PubMedCrossRef

29.

Houghton FD, Humpherson PG, Hawkhead JA, Hall CJ, Leese HJ. Na⁺, K⁺, ATPase activity in the human and bovine preimplantation embryo. Dev Biol. 2003;263:360–6.PubMedCrossRef

Title: In vitro and in vivo viability of human blastocysts collapsed by laser pulse or osmotic shock prior to vitrification
Authors: Hiroshi Iwayama
Shinichi Hochi
Masanori Yamashita
Publication date: 01-04-2011
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 4/2011
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9522-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

In vitro and in vivo viability of human blastocysts collapsed by laser pulse or osmotic shock prior to vitrification

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 4/2011

Use of the natural cycle and vitrification thawed blastocyst transfer results in better in-vitro fertilization outcomes

Dynamic expression patterns of imprinted genes in human embryonic stem cells following prolonged passaging and differentiation

Advancements in reprogramming strategies for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells

Antioxidants rescue stressed embryos at a rate comparable with co-culturing of embryos with human umbilical cord mesenchymal cells

Prognostic value of first IVF cycle on success of a subsequent cycle

Fresh MESA improved embryo fertilization, cleavage, blastula formation and implantation rates after failed TESA in couples with obstructive azoospermia.