The Cryotop vitrification system is competent for the simultaneous cryopreservation of large numbers of pig in vitro-produced blastocysts

Reprod Domest Anim. 2024 Oct:59 Suppl 3:e14600. doi: 10.1111/rda.14600.

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness, in terms of viability and quality post-warming, when vitrifying in vitro-produced (IVP) pig blastocysts with either a modified Cryotop (n = 161; 20 blastocysts/device) or the conventional Superfine Open Pulled Straw (SOPS; n=160; 5-6 blastocysts/device systems. Blastocyst viability, morphology, and apoptosis parameters were evaluated after 24 h of in vitro culture. The Cryotop system yields better results in terms of higher embryo viability and total cell numbers (p < .05) and lower apoptosis (p < .05) parameters than the SOPS procedure, defining a high effectiveness to simultaneously vitrify 20 pig IVP blastocysts at one time, thus increasing the yield of IVP blastocysts readily available for embryo transfer.

Keywords: Cryotop; SOPS; in vitro‐produced blastocysts; porcine; vitrification.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Blastocyst* / physiology
  • Cell Survival
  • Cryopreservation* / methods
  • Cryopreservation* / veterinary
  • Embryo Culture Techniques* / methods
  • Embryo Culture Techniques* / veterinary
  • Embryo Transfer* / veterinary
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro* / veterinary
  • Swine
  • Vitrification*