Cryopréservation des embryons humains par vitrification

First births with a simplified culture system for clinical IVF and embryo transfer

“…Since the introduction of IVF as a successful clinical treatment for tubal factor infertility over three decades ago (Steptoe and Edwards, 1978), certain changes in the IVF laboratory can be considered landmark events because they markedly improved outcome: (i) preimplantation genetic diagnosis to eliminate oocytes and embryos that are aneuploid or carry pathogenic mutations (Handyside et al, 1990); (ii) ICSI for severe male factor infertility (Palermo et al, 1992); and (iii) cryopreservation (Trounson and Mohr,1983), including the recent and wide-spread adoption of the simpler vitrification method for oocytes and preimplantation-stage embryos (Kuwayama et al, 2005;Vanderzwalmen et al, 2006). In contrast, the basic procedures used for conventional IVF, and for embryo culture regardless of the means of insemination, have changed little from those used to produce the first IVF baby (Steptoe and Edwards, 1978) which, it is worth noting, even then used methods derived from earlier studies in experimental systems (e.g.…”

Methods to improve frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer outcomes- the IVF laboratory perspective

“…The process of freezing and thawing may have an adverse effect on the blastocyst. The introduction of the vitrification method 16 allows to avoid intracellular ice-crystal formation compared with slow controlled freezing. Still, little ice formation may occur due to the large fluid-filled cavity in the expanded blastocysts that inhibits sufficient permeation of cryoprotectants inside the blastocoel.…”

Support fermé : une réalité clinique pour vitrifier en conditions aseptiques les ovocytes et embryons

“…Dans cette optique, des supports de contention « ouverts » (Cryotop, Cryoloop, Hemi-straw, Cryoleaf) sont privilé gié s [1]. Ils permettent d'atteindre des vitesses de refroidissement de plus de 20,000 8C/min.…”