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Cryo-survival, fertilization and early embryonic development of vitrified oocytes derived from mice of different reproductive age

  • Fertility Preservation
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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of female reproductive age on oocyte cryo-survival, fertilization and the subsequent embryonic development following vitrification using the mouse model in order to address the question of how maternal reproductive age is related to fertility preservation.

Methods

Oocytes were collected from mice of different reproductive age: (1) 8–10 weeks, (2) 16–20 weeks, (3) 32–36 weeks, and (4) 44–48 weeks. Following vitrification and warming, the oocytes in each group were assessed for cryo-survival, fertilization and embryonic development as well as for the quality of blastocysts. Fresh oocytes without undergoing vitrification were used in each age group as controls.

Results

The mean number of oocytes retrieved following superovulation was found to reduce significantly (P < 0.05) in mice from 32–36 weeks of age (18.1 ± 8.5) compared with 8–10 weeks of age (26.8 ± 9.8) and 16–20 weeks of age (23.9 ± 4.2) respectively. The cryo-survival rate of oocytes was reduced significantly (P < 0.05) in mice of 44–48 weeks of age (90.4% ± 7.9) compared with the other 3 groups (98.8% ± 2.1, 98.0% ± 3.3 and 98.5% ± 2.2, respectively). The cleavage rate of vitrified oocytes declined significantly following the increase in maternal age in mice of 32–36 weeks of age (69.7% ± 20.8) forward (63.6% ± 9.2). However, no significant difference in the cleavage rate was found among the control groups of different maternal ages. The rate of embryo development to the blastocyst stage in the vitrified oocytes also significantly declined following the increase in maternal age (71.8% ± 8.8, 66.4% ± 10.7, 64.2% ± 17.4 and 4.1% ± 8.3 respectively). There were no such differences in the rates of embryo development to the blastocyst stage among the control groups following the increase in maternal age (75.9% ± 12.2, 79.5% ± 28.9, 70.2% ± 17.4 and 69.3% ± 19.0 respectively). However, the quality of blastocysts produced from 32–36 weeks and 44–48 weeks of ages was significantly poor in term of total cell numbers and the ratio of inner cell mass(ICM) / trophectoderm (TE) compared to younger age in both vitrified and control groups

Conclusions

Cryo-survival of oocytes following vitrification and warming procedures is associated with female reproductive age. There is a more negative impact on the oocytes following vitrification and warming with the increase of maternal age.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. J. Yan was supported by the China Scholarship Council (file No. 2008601206) with the State Scholarship Fund to pursue her studies in Canada. This research project was funded by the McGill Reproductive Center, McGill University Health Center (MUHC), Montreal, Canada

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Jie Yan, Joao Suzuki, Xiaomin Yu & Ri-Cheng Chian

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Center for Human Reproduction, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China

    Jie Yan & Jie Qiao

  3. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

    Frederick W. K. Kan

  4. Royal Victoria Hospital, Women’s Pavilion F3, 687 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1A1, Canada

    Ri-Cheng Chian

Authors
  1. Jie Yan
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  2. Joao Suzuki
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  3. Xiaomin Yu
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Correspondence to Jie Qiao or Ri-Cheng Chian.

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Capsule

Reduction in fertilization rate and poor embryonic development following vitrification procedure has been found to be associated with increased reproductive age.

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Yan, J., Suzuki, J., Yu, X. et al. Cryo-survival, fertilization and early embryonic development of vitrified oocytes derived from mice of different reproductive age. J Assist Reprod Genet 27, 605–611 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9450-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9450-3

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