Effects of Uniform or Multi-Gradient Equilibration During Vitrification on Mitochondrial Damage in Mouse Oocytes

Background: Oocyte cryopreservation is a crucial technique in contemporary society since it provides a means for future fertility preservation at a time when delayed marriage and pregnancy are common. However, oocyte cryopreservation remains challenging because of the inherent vul...

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Main Authors: Eun Hee Yu, Jung Ran Cho, Ha Eun Jung, Hyun Joo Lee, Jong Kil Joo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IMR Press 2025-03-01
Series:Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology
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Online Access:https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/52/3/10.31083/CEOG27924
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author Eun Hee Yu
Jung Ran Cho
Ha Eun Jung
Hyun Joo Lee
Jong Kil Joo
author_facet Eun Hee Yu
Jung Ran Cho
Ha Eun Jung
Hyun Joo Lee
Jong Kil Joo
author_sort Eun Hee Yu
collection DOAJ
description Background: Oocyte cryopreservation is a crucial technique in contemporary society since it provides a means for future fertility preservation at a time when delayed marriage and pregnancy are common. However, oocyte cryopreservation remains challenging because of the inherent vulnerability of oocytes becoming damaged during freezing and thawing. This study investigated the effects of uniform versus multi-gradient equilibration during vitrification on mitochondrial integrity and distribution in mouse oocytes. Methods: We compared a conventional uniform equilibration method involving a 10-minute exposure to cryoprotective agents using a multi-gradient equilibration method that reduced the exposure time to 2.5 minutes. The survival rates of the vitrified oocytes and the mitochondrial fluorescence intensity and distribution were assessed using confocal microscopy. Results: The survival rates were not significantly different between the two methods. However, the multi-gradient equilibration method presented a higher mitochondrial fluorescence intensity and more uniform distribution, indicating better preservation of mitochondrial function. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the multi-gradient equilibration method may offer a viable alternative to conventional vitrification that can reduce mitochondrial damage and potentially improve oocyte quality post-thawing.
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series Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology
spelling doaj-art-bbb6a6430ae146bd8cf54826f80bd1e22025-08-20T02:48:28ZengIMR PressClinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology0390-66632025-03-015232792410.31083/CEOG27924S0390-6663(25)02560-6Effects of Uniform or Multi-Gradient Equilibration During Vitrification on Mitochondrial Damage in Mouse OocytesEun Hee Yu0Jung Ran Cho1Ha Eun Jung2Hyun Joo Lee3Jong Kil Joo4Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, 49241 Busan, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University Hospital Infertility Center, Pusan National University Hospital, 49241 Busan, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, 49241 Busan, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, 49241 Busan, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, 49241 Busan, Republic of KoreaBackground: Oocyte cryopreservation is a crucial technique in contemporary society since it provides a means for future fertility preservation at a time when delayed marriage and pregnancy are common. However, oocyte cryopreservation remains challenging because of the inherent vulnerability of oocytes becoming damaged during freezing and thawing. This study investigated the effects of uniform versus multi-gradient equilibration during vitrification on mitochondrial integrity and distribution in mouse oocytes. Methods: We compared a conventional uniform equilibration method involving a 10-minute exposure to cryoprotective agents using a multi-gradient equilibration method that reduced the exposure time to 2.5 minutes. The survival rates of the vitrified oocytes and the mitochondrial fluorescence intensity and distribution were assessed using confocal microscopy. Results: The survival rates were not significantly different between the two methods. However, the multi-gradient equilibration method presented a higher mitochondrial fluorescence intensity and more uniform distribution, indicating better preservation of mitochondrial function. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the multi-gradient equilibration method may offer a viable alternative to conventional vitrification that can reduce mitochondrial damage and potentially improve oocyte quality post-thawing.https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/52/3/10.31083/CEOG27924oocyte cryopreservationmulti-gradient equilibration vitrificationmitochondria
spellingShingle Eun Hee Yu
Jung Ran Cho
Ha Eun Jung
Hyun Joo Lee
Jong Kil Joo
Effects of Uniform or Multi-Gradient Equilibration During Vitrification on Mitochondrial Damage in Mouse Oocytes
Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology
oocyte cryopreservation
multi-gradient equilibration vitrification
mitochondria
title Effects of Uniform or Multi-Gradient Equilibration During Vitrification on Mitochondrial Damage in Mouse Oocytes
title_full Effects of Uniform or Multi-Gradient Equilibration During Vitrification on Mitochondrial Damage in Mouse Oocytes
title_fullStr Effects of Uniform or Multi-Gradient Equilibration During Vitrification on Mitochondrial Damage in Mouse Oocytes
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Uniform or Multi-Gradient Equilibration During Vitrification on Mitochondrial Damage in Mouse Oocytes
title_short Effects of Uniform or Multi-Gradient Equilibration During Vitrification on Mitochondrial Damage in Mouse Oocytes
title_sort effects of uniform or multi gradient equilibration during vitrification on mitochondrial damage in mouse oocytes
topic oocyte cryopreservation
multi-gradient equilibration vitrification
mitochondria
url https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/52/3/10.31083/CEOG27924
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