PRELIMINARY EXPERIENCE WITH HUMAN OOCYTE CRYOPRESERVATION USING 1,2-PROPANEDIOL AND SUCROSE

Feasibility of cryopreservation of mature human oocytes using 1,2-prop anediol and sucrose was studied initially utilizing 1 and 2 day old un fertilized oocytes, Of these 285 aged oocytes 55% survived thawing, an d 41% of 128 oocytes inseminated by single sperm intracytoplasmic inje ction (ICSI) fertilized normally, Limited embryonic development occurr ed in 51% of these embryos (n = 27) observed for the next 4 days, Cryo survival of fresh donated oocytes (Is = 81) was poorer (IE = 20; 24.7% ), while fertilization (n = 13; 65%) and embryo development (100%) was good prior to uterine transfer on day 3, Eight oocyte recipient cycle s were undertaken, in which cryopreserved donated oocytes were thawed and inseminated by ICSI, Five of these cycles reached embryo transfer, and three pregnancies were initiated though none went successfully to term, Oocyte cryopreservation will ultimately facilitate oocyte donat ion procedures; however, cryosurvival of fresh frozen oocytes must be improved to at least the degree observed with aged unfertilized oocyte s.