• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 1998

This study was designed to evaluate the influence of pronuclear age on the survival and post-thawing development after cryopreservation of mouse embryos. Freezing and thawing were performed in the different pronuclear stages of mouse embryos after IVF. Embryos were obtained from $F_1$ hybrid mice and classified into 4 groups according to the pronuclear stage (6hr, 9hr, 12hr and 15hr after insemination). Pronuclear ova were slowly cooled in a biological freezer using 1.5M 1,2-propanediol and 0.1M sucrose as cryoprotectant. Thawing was done at room temperature and 1,2-propanediol was removed by multi-step dilutions. Both frozen-thawed embryos and control fresh embryos were cultured in vitro in Ham's F-10 medium supplemented with 4mg/ml BSA. In control group, the development rate after 48hr was 99.3%, and the complete hatching rate after 144hr was 61.3%. In experimental groups, the survival rate after thawing was 95.4% in 6hr, 88.7% in 9hr, 75.2% in 12hr and 62.4% in 15hr after insemination, the development rate after 48hr was 61.1, 77.0, 67.0 and 79.6%, respectively, and the complete hatching rate after 144hr was 25.7, 43.7, 42.2 and 60.0%, respectively. The survival rate in 15hr was significantly lower (p<0.05) compared with other groups. In vitro development rates after 48hr were similar in all groups, but complement hatching rate was significantly lower (p<0.05) in 6hr group. In conclusion, cryopreservation of mouse pronuclear ova with 2 distinct pronuclei (9hr and 12hr groups) showed better results after thawing compared with early (6hr group) or late pronuclear ova just prior to cleavage (15hr group).

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.777-783
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• 2014

This study investigated the effect of various freezing and thawing techniques on the quality of beef. Meat samples were frozen using natural convection freezing (NF), individual quick freezing (IQF), or cryogenic freezing (CF) techniques, followed by natural convection thawing (NCT) or running water thawing (RT). The meat was frozen until the core temperature reached $-12^{\circ}C$ and then stored at $-24^{\circ}C$, followed by thawing until the temperature reached $5^{\circ}C$. Quality parameters, such as the pH, water binding properties, CIE color, shear force, and microstructure of the beef were elucidated. Although the freezing and thawing combinations did not cause remarkable changes in the quality parameters, rapid freezing, in the order of CF, IQF, and NF, was found to minimize the quality deterioration. In the case of thawing methods, NCT was better than RT and the meat quality was influence on the thawing temperature rather than the thawing rate. Although the microstructure of the frozen beef exhibited an excessive loss of integrity after the freezing and thawing, it did not cause any remarkable change in the beef quality. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CF and NCT form the best combination for beef processing; however, IQF and NCT may have practical applications in the frozen food industry.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 1997

Experiments were performed to study the effects of diluents, cryoprotectant, equilibration time, thawing temperature and addition of BSA and egg yolk. Among the various diluents, Alsever's solution was the best for sperm cryopreservation. A combination of Alsever's solution and 15% ethylene glycol showed the better results than others did. Sperm activity indection and survival rate gradually decreased with the equilibration time. The appropriate thawing temperature was 30 ${\pm}1^{\circ}$C. These results indicate that sperm cryopreservation methods can be developed in tiger puffer.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2001

Objectives: This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of embryonic stage, cryoprotectant, and freezing-thawing method on the rates of survival and development of the cryopreserved mouse early embryo and finally to establish the cryopreservation method of surplus embryos obtained during assisted reproductive technology (ART). Materials and Methods: Two to eight cell embryos were obtained from oviducts of mated $F_1$ hybrid female mice superovulated by pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Two-step 1,2-propanediol (PROH), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and 4-step PROH DMSO were used as cryoprotectant and dehydration and rehydration method of embryos, and slow-cooling or rapid-cooling method was used as frozen program. The survival rates of embryos were measured after thawing and rehydration, and the developmental rates of embryos were compared and observed during culturing embryos for 24, 48, 72, 96 hrs. Results: As for the survival and development rates of embryos according to embryonic stage, the survival rate of 2 cell stage in PROH and DMSO was significantly higher than 4-8 cell (64.5% versus 62.1 %,79.7% versus 73.2%) (p<0.01, p<0.01), but the development rates of 4-8 cell embryos in PROH and DMSO were significantly higher than 2 cell embryos for whole culture period (p<0.01) and the development rates of 4-8 cell embryos in PROH were significantly higher than 2 cell embryos in DMSO (p<0.01). As for the survival and development rates of embryos according to cryoprotectant, the survival rate of 2 cell embryo in DMSO was significantly higher than that in PROH (74.4% versus 64.5%) (p<0.01), whereas the development rate of embryos was not differ till 24 hrs. The developmen1 rate from morular to hatching blastocyst, however, was significantly higher in PROH than in DMSO during 48 hr (p<0.01). The survival rate of 4-8 cell embryo was 62.1% in PROH and 73.2% in DMSO. The development rates of embryo in PROH were significantly higher for whole culture periods (p<0.01, 0.05). In respect to the effect of freezing and thawing program on the survival and development rates of embryos, method of slow cooling and rapid thawing was more effective than that of rapid cooling and rapid thawing. Conclusions: The survival rate of embryo in 2 cell stage was higher than in 4-8 cell stage, and PROH appears more effective cryoprotectant than DMSO because PROH showed better development rates of embryos in 2 and 4-8 cell stage. Moreover, slow cooling and rapid thawing method was considered as the best cryopreservation program.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 1997

The studies on the carried out to investigate to determine the optimum thawing temperature and equilibration time and 1 step straw method of frozen bovine embryos. The follicular oocytes were cultured in TCM-199 medium containing 10 IU/ml PMSG(Sigma, USA), 10 IU/ml hCG(Sigma, USA), 1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml $\beta$-estradiol(Sigma, USA) and 10% FCS for 24~48 hrs in incubator with 5% CO2 in air at 38.5$^{\circ}C$ and then matured oocytes were again cultured for 12~18 hrs with motile capacitated sperm by preincubation of heparin. The bovine embryos following dehydration by cryoprotective agents and various concentration of sucrose were directly plunged into liquid nitrogen and thawed in 3$0^{\circ}C$ water. Survival and in vitro developmental rate was defined as developmental rate on in vitro culture or FDA-test. The results are summarized as followes : 1. The equilibration time on in vitro developmental rates of bovine embryos was attained after short period of time(2.5~5 min.) in the freezing medium higher than long period of time (10~20 min.). 2. The temperature thawed at 3$0^{\circ}C$ after rapid freezing of bovine embryos resulted in a significantly higher in vitro developmental rate than did at 2$0^{\circ}C$ and 35$^{\circ}C$. 3. The thawing time on in vitro developmental rates of bovine embryos was attained after short period of time(1~5 min.) in the freezing mediuim higher than long period of time(10min.). 4. The in vitro developmental rates of bovine embryos after rapid frozen-thawing by 1 step straw method in the freezing medium added 1.5M, 2.0M glycerol, DMSO, propanediol and 0.25M, 0.50M, 0.75M, 1.00M sucrose were 12.5~19.4%, 10.0~15.6%, 9.1~13.8% and 6.7~12.9%, respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.1553-1558
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• 2002

This study was carried out to obtain informations regarding the effect of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in the LEY (lactoseegg yolk) diluent according to incubation time in 5 ml maxi-straw and the effects of freezing rate, thawing temperature and thawing time in the LEN (lactose-egg yolk and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) diluent on acrosome morphology and motility of frozen-thawed boar sperm. The study showed that the LEN diluent was higher post-thaw NAR (normal apical ridge) acrosome than the LEY diluent for 0.5 h incubation at 37$^{\circ}C$. However, there were no differences between the LEN and LEY diluents on post-thaw sperm motility according to incubation time. The straws frozen from 5.0 cm (20$^{\circ}C$/min) to 17.0 cm (1$^{\circ}C$/min) above the liquid nitrogen surface did not show any significant differences on post-thaw sperm motility. However, the straws frozen above 5.0 cm from the liquid nitrogen surface were higher NAR acrosome than those frozen above 17.0 cm. The post-thaw percentages of motile sperm and NAR acrosome were significantly higher (p<0.05) for the maxi-straws submerged for 40 or 45 sec in a 52$^{\circ}C$ water bath than for 30, 35, 50 or 55 sec. The mean sample temperatures of maxi-straws after 40 or 45 sec submersion were 20.7 or 26.4$^{\circ}C$. In conclusion, the sample temperature of the thawed semen was very important for post-thaw sperm survival in the LEN diluent of 5 ml maxi-straw. When the temperature of the thawed semen was 20.7$^{\circ}C$, the percentages of motile sperm and NAR acrosome were highest.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 1991

This stduy was carried out in order to investigate the effects of cryoprotective concentration and equilibration time on survival rate of ultrarapidly frozen in vitro fertilized bovine embryos. In vitro fertilized bovine embryos, following dehydration by cryoprotective agents and sucorese were directly plunged into liquid nitrogen and thawed in 38$^{\circ}C$ water. Survival rate was defined by development rate to the morula and blaqstocyst stage after in vitro culture of by FDA test. The results are summarized as follows : 1. The survival rates of in vitro fertilized bovine embryos after ultrarapid frozen-thawing in the freezing medium of 0.25M sucroese added 2.0M, 2.5M, 3.0M, 3.5M, 4.0M glycerol were 75.0%, 72.0%, 67.6%, 44.8% and 18.3% respectively. 2. The survival rates of in vitro fertilized bovine embryos after ultrarapid frozen-thawing in the freezing medium of 0.25M sucrose added 2.0M, 2.5M, 3.0M, 3.5M, 4.0M DMSO were 64.0%, 66.7%, 70.8%, 52.7% and 18.6, respectively. 3. The survival rates of in vitro fertilized bovine embryos after ultrarapid frozen-thawing in the freezing medium of 0.25M sucrose added 2.0M, 2.5M, 3.0M, 3.5M, 4.0M propanediol were 68.4%, 64.9%, 63.2%, 62.2% and 34.7%, respectively. 4. The survival rates of in vitro fertilized bovine embryos after ultrarapid frozen-thawing in the freezing medium of 2.50M glycerol added 0.1M, 0.25M, 0.5M, 0.75M, sucrose were 60.5%, 72.2%, 70.1% and 54.9%, respectively. The survival rate of in vitro fertilized embryos after ultrarapid frozen-thawing in the freezing medium of 2.5M glycerol added 0.25M sucrose were higher than concentration of 0.10M, 0.50M and 0.75M sucrose. 5. The equilibration time on the survival rate of in vitro fertilized bovine embryos was attained after short period of time(2.5~5min.) in the freezing medium added 0.25M sucrose and 3.0M DMSO higher than long period time(1~20min.).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.191-198
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• 2001

Objective : This study was conducted to examine the effect of vitrification on the survival and in vitro development of mice 1-cell zygotes. Method: Effects of exposure to vitrification solution and vitrification, with different concentrations of the cryoprotectant solution, were examined. The 1-cell zygotes were also subjected to a slow freezing-thawing method to compare with vitrification method. Solution composed of ethylene glycol (6.0 M, 5.0 M, 4.0 M) and sucrose (1.0 M) were used as cryopropectant. The experiments employed the method loading the embryos on electron microscope grids. Results: I. The effects of exposure in vitrification solution. 1-cell zygotes were non-toxic at all concentrations of the vitrification solution showing the survival rate between 88.1% and 97.5%. Development into 2-cell was more successful in the higher concentrations of the vitrification solution. Therefore, higher concentrations of the vitirification solution do not seem to cause any problems in vitrification procedure. II. The effects of vitrification method. 1-cell zygotes showed the survival rate between 78.8% and 92.4%. The lowest and the highest survival rate was observed in the 6.0 M and 4.0 M vitrification solution, respectively. 2-cell development rates varied from 77.6% to 91.3%. Blastocyst development rate was shown highest in 5.0 M and the lowest in 4.0 M solution. Therefore, the highest 2-cell and blastocyst development rate was observed in 5.0 M solution. III. Comparison of vitrification and slow freezing-thawing method on 1-cell zygotes. This experiment showed that 1-cell zygotes had the highest survival and development rates in 5.0 M vitrification solution. Vitrified group of 1-cell zygotes, in the 5.0 M vitrification solution, were compared with the group processed in slow freezing-thawing method. The development rate into 2-cell and blastocyst as well as the survival rate were higher in the vitrified group than in the slowly freezed group. Conclusion: 1. The results demonstrate that the best cryoprotectant is a 5.0 M vitrification solution for 1-cell zygotes. 2. Vitrification method significantly increases the survival rate of the 1-cell zygote and its development into 2-cell and blastocyst. Equilibration and exposure time during the vitrification was remarkerbly short in this experiment. Total time, from the exposure to vitirification solution to storage in the liquid nitrogen, was taken only 90 seconds. In contrast, the slow freezing-thawing method have taken more than four hours. Taken together, we presume that the overall time used for the procedure contributes to the results as an important parameter. 3. The loading of 1-cell zygotes on the EM grid is technically more simple and takes less time than the straw or cryo vial method.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 1992

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of concentration and equilibration time of cryoprotective agents on the survival rate of slowly and ultrarapidly frozen porcine embryos. The porcine embryos following dehydration by cryoprotective agents and a various concentration of sucrose were directly plunged into liquid nitrogen and thawed in 38$^{\circ}C$ water bath. Survival rate was defined as development rat to the morula and blastocyst stage after in vitro culture or by FDA test. The results are summarized as follows : 1. The survival rates of porcine embryos after ultrarapid frozen-thawing in the freezing medium of 0.25M sucrose added 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, or 4.0M glycerol was 65.3, 61.8, 64.3, 59.4 or 39.4%, respectively. Addition of 0.25M sucrose into the freezing medium containing 2.0M glycerol showed higher survival rate than those of 2.5~4.0M glycerol. 2. The survival rates of porcine embryos after ultraradpid frozen-thawing in the freezing medium of 0.25M sucroese added 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 or 4.0M DMSO was 65.6, 67.6, 68.6, 60.6 or 23.6%, respectively. However, addition of 0.25M sucrose into the freezing medium containing 3.0M DMSO showed higher survival rate than those of 2.0, 2.5, 3.5 or 4.0M DMSO. 3. The survival rates of porcine embryos after ultrapid frozen-thawing in the freezing medium of 0.25M sucrose added 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 or 4.0M propanediol was 63.2, 60.3, 62.1, 52.3 or 24.3%, respectively. Addition of 0.25M sucroese into the freezing medium containing 2.0M propanediol showed higher survival rate than those of 2.5~4.0M glycerol. 4. The survival rates of porcine embryos after ultrarapid frozen-thawing the freezing medium of 2.0M glycerol added 0.10, 0.25, 0.50 or 0.75M sucrose was 61.8, 70.8, 67.6 or 52.2%, respectively. Addition of 2.0M glycerol into the freezing medium containing 0.25M sucreose showed higher survival rate than that those of 0.10, 0.50 or 0.75M sucrose. 5. The higher suvival rate of porcine embryos were attained at short period of equilibration time 92.5~5min.) in the freezing medium added 0.25M sucreose and 3.0M compared to those of 10 or 20min. equilibration time in the same condition.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 1993

The effects of freezing and 1,2-propanediol on early and late pronucleate stage mouse ova were investigated in terms of survival after thawing and development in vitro. The samples were divided into two groups according to different age in pronucleate ova: ova in(1) early pronuclear stage with two distant pronuclei at 18h after hCG injection, and (2) late pronuclear stage with adjacent pronuclei at 30h. Zygotes in the late pronuclear stage have been proven to be more resistant to 1,2-propanediol, showing a significantly higher developmental rate than zygotes in early stage (80.3 versus 66.3%, <0.05), but survival rate was similar in the two groups (91.0 versus 93.5%). After freezing and thawing, survival and developmental rates were decreased in both groups when compared to the control group (54.3 versus 92.3%, 47.7 versus 73.3%. respectively). And developmental rate in the late pronuclear stage zygotes showed significantly higher than in early (55.4 versus 40.0%) after thawing. In conclusion, early pronucleate mouse ova have a lower developmental capacity in vitro and a lower survival rate after freezing and thawing than late ova. These findings suggest that the timing of freezing could be important for survival and further development in vitro in cryopreservation of human pronucleate ova.