Download PDF
Semin Reprod Med 2001; 19(3): 221-230
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-18041
Copyright © 2001 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Oocyte Freezing

Eleonora Porcu
  • Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, IVF and Infertility Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
26 October 2001 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

ABSTRACT

Human oocyte cryopreservation is potentially an alternative solution to the ethical problems arising from embryo storage. In addition, oocyte freezing is the only method to preserve the reproductive capacity for women at risk of losing it because of premature ovarian failure, pelvic diseases, surgery, or antineoplastic treatments. Oocyte storage has faced technical difficulties compared with sperm or embryo cryopreservation because of the specific features of female germinal cell, as documented by the low number of births achieved after oocyte cryopreservation. Despite the early disappointing results regarding survival, fertilization, and cleavage rate, which led to only sporadic pregnancies in more than 10 years, the recent introduction of technical modification such as the intracytoplasmic sperm injection and some changes in the freezing protocol greatly improved the clinical efficiency with the birth of several healthy children.

KEYWORD

Freezing - human eggs - oocytes - assisted reproduction

REFERENCES

  • 1 Mazur P. Limits to life at low temperatures and at reduced water activities.  Orig Life . 1980;  10 137-159
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Chen C. Pregnancy after human oocyte cryopreservation.  Lancet . 1986;  1 884-886
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 van Uem J H M F, Siebzehnrubl E R, Schuh B, Koch R, Trotnow S, Lang N. Birth after cryopreservation of unfertilized oocytes.  Lancet . 1987;  1 752-753
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Trounson A. Freezing human eggs and embryos.  Fertil Steril . 1986;  46 1-12
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Al-Hasani S, Diedrich K, van der Ven H, Reinecke A, Hartje M, Krebs D. Cryopreservation of human oocytes.  Hum Reprod . 1987;  2 695-700
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Chen C. Pregnancies after human oocyte cryopreservation.  Ann N Y Acad Sci . 1987;  541 541-549
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Gook D, Osborn S, Bourne H, Johnston W. Fertilization of human oocytes following cryopreservation: normal karyotypes and absence of stray chromosomes.  Hum Reprod . 1994;  9 684-691
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Mandelbaum J, Junca A M, Tibi C. Cryopreservation of immature and mature hamster and human oocytes.  Ann N Y Acad Sci . 1988;  541 550-561
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Toth T, Baka S, Veeck L, Jones H, Muasher S, Lanzendorf S. Fertilization and in vitro development of cryopreserved human prophase I oocytes.  Fertil Steril . 1994;  61 891-894
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Toth T L, Lazendorf S E, Sandow B A. Cryopreservation of human prophase I oocytes collected from unstimulated follicles.  Fertil Steril . 1994;  61 1077-1082
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Son W Y, Park S E, Lee K A. Effects of 1,2-propanediol and freezing thawing on the in vitro developmental capacity of human immature oocytes.  Fertil Steril . 1996;  66 995-999
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Park S E, Son W Y, Lee S H, Lee K A, Ko J J, Cha K Y. Chromosome and spindle configuration of human oocytes matured in vitro after cryopreservation at the germinal vesicle stage.  Fertil Steril . 1997;  68 920-926
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Cha K Y, Chung H M, Lim J M. Freezing immature oocytes.  Mol Cell Endocrinol . 2000;  169 43-47
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Gook D, Osborn S M, Bourne H, Johnston W IH, Speirs A L. Mature and immature human oocyte cryopreservation. In: Porcu E, Flamigni C, eds. Human Oocytes: From Physiology to IVF Bologna, Italy: Monduzzi Editore 1998: 279-284
    Google Scholar
  • 15 Tucker M, Wright G, Morton P. Birth after cryopreservation of immature oocytes with subsequent in vitro maturation.  Fertil Steril . 1998;  3 578-579
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Hovatta O, Silye R, Krausz T. Cryopreservation of human ovarian tissue using dimethylsulphoxide and propanediol-sucrose as cryoprotectants.  Hum Reprod . 1996;  11 1268-1272
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Newton H, Aubard Y, Rutherford A, Sharma V, Gosden R. Low temperature storage and grafting of human ovarian tissue.  Hum Reprod . 1996;  11 1487-1491
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Gook D, Osborn S, Johnston W. Cryopreservation of mouse and human oocytes using 1,2 propanediol and the configuration of the meiotic spindle.  Hum Reprod . 1993;  8 1101-1109
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Sathananthan A H, Kirby C, Trounson A, Philipatos D, Shaw J. The effects of cooling mouse oocytes.  J Assist Reprod Genet . 1992;  9 139-148
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Pellicer A, Lightman A, Parmer T G, Behrman H R, De Cherney H A. Morphologic and functional studies of immature rat oocyte-cumulus complexes after cryopreservation.  Fertil Steril . 1988;  50 805-810
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Imoedehme D G, Sigue A B. Survival of human oocytes cryopreserved with or without the cumulus in 1,2-propanediol.  J Assist Reprod Genet . 1992;  9 323-327
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Fabbri R, Porcu E, Marsella T. Human oocyte cryopreservation: new perspectives regarding oocyte survaival.  Hum Reprod . 2001;  16 411-416
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Friedler S, Giudice L, Lamb E. Cryopreservation of embryos and ova.  Fertil Steril . 1988;  49 743-764
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Pickering S, Braude P, Johnson M. Cryoprotection of human oocyte: inappropriate exposure to DMSO reduces fertilization rates.  Hum Reprod . 1991;  6 142-143
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Vincent C, Pickering S J, Johnson M H, Quick S J. Dimethylsulfoxide affects the organization of microfilaments in the mouse oocyte.  Development . 1990;  26 227-235
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Sathananthan A H, Trounson A, Freeman L, Brady T. The effects of cooling human oocytes.  Hum Reprod . 1988;  8 968-977
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Van der Elst J, Van den Abbeel E, Nerinckx S, Van Steirteghem A. Parthenogenetic activation pattern and microtubular organization of the mouse oocyte after exposure to 1,2-propanediol.  Cryobiology . 1992;  29 549-562
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Rall W F, Fahy G M. Ice free cryopreservation of mouse embryos at -196°C by vitrification.  Nature . 1985;  313 573-575
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Hunter J E, Fuller B, Bernard A, Jackson A, Shaw R W. Vitrification of human oocytes following minimal exposure to cryoprotectants: initial studies on fertilization and embryonic development.  Hum Reprod . 1995;  10 1184-1188
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Kuleshova L, Gianaroli L, Magli C, Ferraretti A, Trounson A. Birth following vitrification of a small number of human oocytes.  Hum Reprod . 1999;  14 3077-3079
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Vincent C, Pruliere G, Pajot-Augy E, Campion E, Garnier V, Renard J P. Effects of cryoprotectants on actin filaments during cryopreservation of one-cell rabbit embryos.  Cryobiology . 1990;  27 9-23
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Hunter J E, Bernard A, Fuller B, Amso N, Shaw R W. Fertilization and development of the human oocyte following exposure to cryoprotectants, low temperatures and cryopreservation: a comparison of two techniques.  Hum Reprod . 1991;  6 1460-1465
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Van Blerkom J, Davis P. Cytogenetic, cellular and developmental consequences of cryopreservation of immature and human oocytes.  Microsc Res Tech . 1994;  27 165-193
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Younis A I, Toner M, Albertini D F, Biggers J D. Cryobiology of non-human primate oocytes.  Hum Reprod . 1996;  11 156-165
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Al-Hasani S, Diedrich K. Oocyte storage. In: Grudzinskas JG, Yovich JL, eds. Gametes: The Oocyte Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press; 1995
    Google Scholar
  • 36 Al-Hasani S, Kirsch J, Diedrich K, Blanke S, van der Ven H, Krebs D. Successful embryo transfer of cryopreserved and in-vitro fertilized rabbit oocytes.  Hum Reprod . 1989;  4 77-79
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Dumoulin J C, Bergers-Janssen J M, Pieters M H, Enginsu M E, Geraedts J P, Evers J L. The protective effects of polymers in the cryopreservation of human and mouse zonae pellucidae and embryos.  Fertil Steril . 1994;  62 793-798
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Gook D, Osborn S, Johnston W. Parthenogenetic activation of human oocytes following cryopreservation using 1,2-propanediol.  Hum Reprod . 1995;  10 654-658
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Kazem R, Thompson L A, Srikantharajah A, Laing M A, Hamilton M PR, Templeton A. Cryopreservation of human oocytes and fertilization by two techniques: in-vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection.  Hum Reprod . 1995;  10 2650-2654
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Tucker M, Wright G, Morton P, Shanguo L, Massey J, Kort H. Preliminary experience with human oocyte cryopreservation using 1,2 propanediol and sucrose.  Hum Reprod . 1996;  11 1513-1515
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 Gook D, Schiewe M C, Osborn S, Asch R H, Jansen R PS, Johnston W IH. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo development of human oocytes cryopreserved using 1,2-propanediol.  Hum Reprod . 1995;  10 2637-2641
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 42 Porcu E, Dal Prato L, Seracchioli R, Fabbri R, Longhi M, Flamigni C. Comparison between depot and standard release triptoreline in in vitro fertilization: pituitary sensitivity, luteal function, pregnancy outcome and perinatal results.  Fertil Steril . 1994;  62 126-132
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 43 Porcu E, Fabbri R, Seracchioli R, Ciotti P M, Magrini O, Flamigni C. Birth of a healthy female after intracytoplasmic sperm injection of cryopreserved human oocytes.  Fertil Steril . 1997;  4 724-726
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 44 Porcu E, Fabbri R, Seracchioli R. Birth of six healthy children after intracytoplasmic sperm injection of cryopreserved human oocytes.  Hum Reprod . 1998;  13 124
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 45 Porcu E. Freezing of oocytes.  Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol . 1999;  11 297-300
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 46 Porcu E, Fabbri R, Ciotti P M, Petracchi S, Seracchioli R, Flamigni C. Ongoing pregnancy after intracytoplasmic sperm injection of epididymal spermatozoa into cryopreserved human oocytes.  J Assist Reprod Genet . 1999;  16 283-285
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 47 Porcu E, Fabbri R, Ciotti P M. Cycles of human oocyte cryopreservation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: results of 112 cycles.  Fertil Steril . 1999;  72 S2
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 48 Porcu E, Fabbri R, Damiano G. Clinical experience and applications of oocyte cryopreservation.  Mol Cell Endocrinol . 2000;  169 33-37
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 49 Siebzehnruebl E R, Todorow S, van Uem J, Kocch R, Wildt L, Lang L. Cryopreservation of human and rabbit oocytes and one-cell embryos: a comparison of DMSO and propanediol.  Hum Reprod . 1989;  4 312-317
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 50 Baka S G, Toth T L, Veeck L L. Evaluation of the spindle apparatus of in vitro matured human oocytes following cryopreservation.  Hum Reprod . 1995;  10 1816-1820
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 51 Diedrich K, Al-Hasani S, Van der Ven H, Krebs D. Successful in vitro fertilization of frozen-thawed rabbit and human oocytes.  Ann N Y Acad Sci . 1988;  541 562-570
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 52 Polak de Fried E, Notrica J, Rubistein M. Pregnancy after human donor oocyte cryopreservation and thawing in association with intracytoplasmic sperm injection in a patient with ovarian failure.  Fertil Steril . 1998;  3 555-557
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 53 Young E, Kenny A, Puigdomenech E. Triplet pregnancy after intracytoplasmic sperm injection of cryopreserved oocytes: case report.  Fertil Steril . 1998;  2 360-361
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 54 Nawroth F, Kissing K. Pregnancy after intracytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI) of cryopreserved human oocytes.  Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand . 1998;  77 462-463
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 55 Yang D S, Blohm P L, Winslow L. A twin pregnancy after microinjection of human cryopreserved oocyte with a specially developed oocyte cryopreservation regime.  Fertil Steril. 1998;  S239-S357
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 56 Antinori S, Dani G, Selman H A. Pregnancy after sperm injection into cryopreserved human oocytes.  Hum Reprod . 1998;  13 157-158
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 57 Borini A, Bafaro M G, Bonu M A. Pregnancies after freezing and thawing: preliminary data.  Hum Reprod . 1998;  13 124-125
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 58 Yoon T K, Chung H M, Lim J M, Han S Y, Ko J J, Cha K Y. Pregnancy and delivery of healthy infants developed from vitrified oocytes in a stimulated in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer program.  Fertil Steril . 2000;  74 180-181
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
      >