Embryo Vitrification at 2-Cell Stage Appears Not To Affect Blastocysts Cell Number In Mice

Embryo vitrification is a key component of assisted reproductive techniques (ART). This approach prevents ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and multiple gestation and also decreases risk of breast and uterine cancers. But the effect of this procedure on preimplantation embryo development is questionable. In this study, by counting cell number at blastocyst stage, the quality of the embryos cultured after vitrification/thawing were evaluated. 2-cell mouse embryos obtained from IVF divided into two groups; in group I embryos cultured in KSOMaa medium supplemented with 10% bovine serum albumin (BSA) under mineral oil for 96 h at 37 °Cin a humidified atmosphere of 5 % CO2 and 95 % air. In group II embryos were vitrified/warmed and then cultured in the same conditions as the first group for 72 h to obtain blastocysts. The blastocysts then were double stained and the number of inner cell mass, trophectoderm and total cells were figured and then compared between two groups. The result showed that the number of trophectoderm, inner cell mass and total cells in group II have no significant difference in comparison to group I (p < 0.05). In conclusion, preimplantation embryo vitrification does not affect the quality of the blastocysts in term of their cell number.  

Keywords:

Embryo vitrification , ART , Inner cell mass , Trophectoderm , Blastocysts , Mice