A Preliminary Study on the Cryobiological Characteristics ,of Mouse Embryos

The present investigation is to study the cryobiological characteristics of mouse embryos of different developmental stages (2-,4- and multi-cells).A series of cryoprotectant containing different proportions of glycerol and 1,2-propanediol have been tested for their cryopreservation potential,sucrose of appropriate concentrations was used as the thawing diluent.Mouse embryo developing to blastocyst stage under 37℃ & 5% CO2 incubation has been used as an index of normal functioning embryo.The results show that the cryoprotectant containing 2.5M glycerol and 3.5M 1,2-propanediol has the best cryoprotective efficiency.Approximately 37.8% of the frozen embryos (8-cell stage to morula) thawed in 35℃ waterbath have developed to blastocysts.Embryos thawed in 25℃ or 15℃ waterbath survived at a low rate and viability.Mouse embryos in 2- or 4-cell stage have been found to be very sensitive to cryopreservation,with the lowest survival rate and viability.