Vitrifying multiple embryos in different arrangements does not alter the cooling rate^⋆

Abstract

Vitrification is the most common method of cryopreservation of gametes in fertility clinics due to its improved survival rates compared to slow freezing techniques. For the Open Cryotop® vitrification device, the number of oocytes, or embryos, mounted onto a single device can vary. In this work, a mathematical model is developed for the cooling of oocytes, or embryos, that is solved computationally, to investigate whether varying the number of samples mounted onto the Open Cryotop® affects the cooling rates, and therefore survival rates, of vitrified samples. Several realistic spatial arrangements of oocytes/embryos are examined, determining the temperature of the system over time, which highlights the effect of spatial arrangement on the rate of cooling. Results indicate that neither spatial arrangement nor the number of mounted oocytes, or embryos, has a large effect on cooling rates, so long as the volume of the cryoprotectant remains minimal. Under the manufacturer's guidelines, clinical decisions regarding the number and arrangement of oocytes or embryos placed on a device can be varied, whilst maintaining rapid cooling.