Cryopreservation of biopsied embryos at the blastocyst stage

Authors: Magli, M.C.; Gianaroli, Luca; Grieco, N.; Cefalù, E.; Ruvolo, G.; Ferraretti, A.P.

Source: Human Reproduction, Volume 21, Number 10, October 2006 , pp. 2656-2660(5)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $44.11 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The availability of an efficient cryopreservation program is especially important in the case of embryos that have undergone blastomere biopsy for PGD. Unfortunately, the freezing/thawing of biopsied embryos has given disappointing results when performed at the cleavage stage. In this study, embryos diagnosed as normal after PGD were grown to the blastocyst stage, frozen and thawed for successive frozen embryo transfer. METHODS: A total of 34 patients performed a thawing cycle in which 47 blastocysts were thawed. The cryopreservation solutions were based on HEPES-buffered medium supplemented with human serum albumin (HSA), sucrose and 1,2-propanediol. The same protocol was applied to embryos from 88 IVF/ICSI patients, which underwent 92 thawing cycles with 150 thawed blastocysts. RESULTS: The survival rate was similar in the two groups (53% after PGD and 58% in IVF/ICSI cycles), as well as the cumulative pregnancy rate per patient (59% after PGD versus 47% in IVF/ICSI cycles), despite a higher maternal age and a lower proportion of embryos available for transfer or cryopreservation in the PGD group. CONCLUSIONS: Neither the survival rate nor the subsequent development and chances of implantation, differed between embryos frozen at the blastocyst stage following biopsy and those frozen intact.

Keywords: 1,2-propanediol; blastocysts; cumulative pregnancy rate; embryo biopsy; PGD

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/del228

Publication date: 2006-10-01

More about this publication?

Human Reproduction features full-length, peer-reviewed papers reporting original research, clinical case histories, as well as opinions and debates on topical issues. Papers published cover the scientific and medical aspects of reproductive physiology and pathology, endocrinology, andrology, gonad function, gametogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, implantation, pregnancy, genetics, genetic diagnosis, oncology, infectious disease, surgery, contraception, infertility treatment, psychology, ethics and social issues. The highest scientific and editorial standard is maintained throughout the journal along with a rapid rate of publication.

Cryopreservation of biopsied embryos at the blastocyst stage

Buy & download fulltext article:

Tools

Key

Text size:

Useful pages