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Yang J, Cai N, Zhai H, Zhang J, Zhu Y, Zhang L. Natural zwitterionic betaine enables cells to survive ultrarapid cryopreservation. Sci Rep 2016; 6:37458. [PMID: 27874036 PMCID: PMC5118695 DOI: 10.1038/srep37458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryoprotectants (CPAs) play a critical role in cryopreservation because they can resist the cell damage caused by the freezing process. Current state-of-the-art CPAs are mainly based on an organic solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and several DMSO-cryopreserved cell products have been brought to market. However, the intrinsic toxicity and complex freezing protocol of DMSO still remain as the bottleneck of the wide use for clinical applications. Herein, we reported that betaine, a natural zwitterionic molecule, could serve as a nontoxic and high efficient CPA. At optimum concentration of betaine, different cell types exhibited exceptional post-thaw survival efficiency with ultrarapid freezing protocol, which was straightforward, cost efficient but difficult to succeed using DMSO. Moreover, betaine showed negligible cytotoxicity even after long-term exposure of cells. Mechanistically, we hypothesized that betaine could be ultra-rapidly taken up by cells for intracellular protection during the freezing process. This technology unlocks the possibility of alternating the traditional toxic CPAs and is applicable to a variety of clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
| | - Nana Cai
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
| | - Hongwen Zhai
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
| | - Jiamin Zhang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
| | - Yingnan Zhu
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
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Abstract
The success of reproductive technologies is facilitated by the cryopreservation of embryos and gametes. In Italy, where legislation prohibits zygote and embryo cryopreservation, clinics have extensively introduced oocyte cryopreservation. Two different strategies of oocyte cryopreservation are available: slow freezing or ultrarapid cooling (vitrification). Although the results are very encouraging with both methods, there is still controversy regarding both the procedure itself and the most suitable method to use. This study reports the routine application of the two different oocyte cryopreservation methods in programmes running in two consecutive periods. The study centre carried out 286 thawing cycles for a total of 1348 thawed oocytes cryopreserved by the slow-freezing method and 59 warming cycles for a total of 285 warmed oocytes cryopreserved by vitrification. Comparison of the outcomes obtained with the slow-freezing method versus vitrification in women who underwent IVF for infertility showed survival, fertilization, pregnancy and implantation rates of 57.9% versus 78.9% (P < 0.0001), 64.6% versus 72.8% (P = 0.027), 7.6% versus 18.2% (P = 0.021) and 4.3% versus 9.3% (P = 0.043) respectively. These results suggest that oocyte vitrification is associated with a better outcome than the slow-freezing method.
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Franco JG, Silva PG, Achê RS, Baruffi RR, Mauri AL, Petersen CG, Felipe V, Vagnini L, Oliveira JBA. Comparison of the psychological evaluation test and classical psychoanalysis in infertile women. Reprod Biomed Online 2004; 8:8-13. [PMID: 14759280 DOI: 10.1016/s1472-6483(10)60492-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to compare a psychological evaluation test to classical psychoanalysis in infertile women. Two hundred women were submitted to the Psychological Evaluation Test (PET). The sum of the scores for the responses ranged from 15 to 60 points, with scores >/=30 points being defined as 'psycho-emotional maladjustment' (cut-off point: median + 25%). For comparison, the patients were simultaneously submitted to a psychological examination by a psychologist, who was unaware of the PET results. Of the 200 patients, 66 (33%) presented a test with >/=30 points ('psycho-emotional maladjustment') and 134 (67%) a test with <30 points (normal). Upon psychological examination, 105 (52.5%) presented an abnormal evaluation and 95 (47.5%) a normal evaluation. For the PET, statistical analysis showed 82% efficiency, 62% sensitivity, 98% positive predictive value, 99% specificity, 70% negative predictive value, likelihood ratio for a positive test result 62, and likelihood ratio for negative test result 0.38. The PET proved to be a useful clinical instrument, being of help in the selection of patients with psychological needs induced by infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Franco
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Sinhá Junqueira Maternity Foundation-Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil.
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Mauri AL, Petersen CG, Baruffi RLR, Ferreira RC, Franco JG. Comparison of the cryopreservation of human embryos obtained after intracytoplasmic sperm injection with a slow cooling or an ultrarapid cooling procedure. J Assist Reprod Genet 2001; 18:257-61. [PMID: 11464576 PMCID: PMC3455333 DOI: 10.1023/a:1016630721045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Our purpose was to compare an ultrarapid method (URM) modified with dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) to a slow method (SM) with propanediol (PROH) for the cryopreservation of extra human embryos in a program of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHODS The extra embryos of 160 patients were cryopreserved in a prospective and randomized manner (drawing lots) by a modified URM (3 M Me2SO/0.25 M sucrose/thawing in three sucrose gradients) (Group I) or by a SM (1.5 M Propanediol/program 0-Cryologic CL863) (Group II). A total of 103 cycles has been thawed thus far. The number of thawed cycles was 58 for group I and 45 for group II. RESULTS The mean age (group I, 31.3 +/- 4.5; group II, 31.9 +/- 4.3) did not differ between the groups (P = 0.38). The number of frozen embryos (group I, 6.6 +/- 3.2; group II, 6.5 +/- 3.2) was similar (P = 0.49) for the two groups, as was the number of thawed embryos (P = 0.52) (group I, 6.5 +/- 2.9; group II, 6.2 +/- 3). The survival rate was higher (P < 0.01) for group II (83.3 +/- 23%) than for group I (69.2 +/- 28.7%). The cleavage rate was also higher (P < 0.01) for group II (56.8 +/- 31%) compared with group I (24.2 +/- 22.4%). The number of embryos transferred did not differ (P = 0.14) between the groups (group I, 3.16 +/- 1.2; group II, 3.5 +/- 1.0). The implantation rate (group I, 6.3%; group II, 13.8%) was significantly different between groups (P = 0.034). Pregnancy rates per thawed and transferred cycle were higher for group II (33.3 and 36.6%, respectively) compared with group I (13.8 and 16%, respectively), and these differences were significant (P = 0.03 and P = 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSION The data obtained suggest that the SM is superior to the URM for the cryopreservation of extra embryos after ICSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. L. Mauri
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Sinhá Junqueira Maternity Foundation, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - C. G. Petersen
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Sinhá Junqueira Maternity Foundation, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - R. L. R. Baruffi
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Sinhá Junqueira Maternity Foundation, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - R. C. Ferreira
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Sinhá Junqueira Maternity Foundation, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - J. G. Franco
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Sinhá Junqueira Maternity Foundation, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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