Human oocyte cryopreservation as an adjunct to IVF-embryo transfer cycles

Boldt, Jeffrey
Cline, Donald
McLaughlin, David

¹Assisted Fertility Services, Community Health Network, Indianapolis, IN 46256, ²Reproductive Endocrinology Associates, 2020 W 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260 and ³Reproductive Surgery and Medicine, 8040 Clearvista Parkway, Indianapolis, IN 46256, USA

⁴To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: [email protected]

Submitted on January 7, 2003; accepted on February 19, 2003

Human Reproduction 18(6):p 1250-1255, June 2003.

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of this work was to develop methods for successful cryopreservation of human oocytes.

METHODS:

Two cryopreservation procedures were used. Method 1 involved use of 1.5 mol/l propanediol (PrOH)-0.1 mol/l sucrose with medium containing sodium (Na) as cryoprotectant medium, seeding at −7°C, and stepwise dilution of cryoprotectant post-thaw. Method 2 used Na-depleted media with 1.5 mol/l PrOH-0.2 mol/l sucrose for freezing, seeding at −6°C, and use of high sucrose (0.5 and 0.2 mol/l) for cryoprotectant removal.

RESULTS:

The first method was used in seven patients, and gave poor (12.3%) survival results and no pregnancies. The second method was used in 15 patients (16 cycles), and yielded good survival and fertilization rates (74.4 and 59% respectively), with four pregnancies and five healthy infants born to 11 women receiving an embryo transfer.

CONCLUSIONS:

Using Na-depleted media along with other alterations in freezing and thawing procedures, human oocyte cryopreservation can provide excellent survival and pregnancy rates.