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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 4/2014

01-04-2014 | Technological Innovations

Oocyte vitrification: advances, progress and future goals

Authors: Ri-Cheng Chian, Yao Wang, Yi-Ran Li

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 4/2014

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Abstract

Background

Recent advances in vitrification technology have markedly improved the efficacy of oocyte cryopreservation in terms of oocyte survival and pregnancy, as well as live birth rates. However, there still remains room for improvement in terms of vitrification techniques.

Objective

The remaining challenges include the development of a less cytotoxic vitrification solution and of a safe vitrification device in order to have vitrification techniques considered as a standard clinical laboratory procedure.

Methods

A systematic electronic literature search strategy has been conducted using PubMed (Medline) databases with the use of the following key words: oocyte, vitrification, cryoprotectant, preservation, pregnancy, and live birth. A list of published papers focused on the improvement of vitrification techniques to have the vitrification protocol standardized have been evaluated in full text for this review. Only key references were cited.

Conclusions

Vitrification technology has made significant advancements and holds great promise, but many issues remains to be addressed before it becomes a standardized procedure in clinical laboratories such as the fact that oocyte vitrification may not require a high concentration of cryoprotectant in the vitrification solution when it has a suitable cooling and warming rate. There is also no consistent evidence that indicates the absence of risk to the vitrified oocytes when they are stored for a prolonged period of time in direct-contact with liquid nitrogen. The long-term development of infants born as a result of this technology equally remains to be evaluated.
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Metadata
Title
Oocyte vitrification: advances, progress and future goals
Authors
Ri-Cheng Chian
Yao Wang
Yi-Ran Li
Publication date
01-04-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 4/2014
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0180-9

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