Cryopreservation of whole bovine ovaries: comparisons of different thawing protocols

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to perform a comparative investigation of several different thawing protocols and to determine an appropriate protocol for thawing whole bovine frozen ovaries.

Study design: Bovine ovaries were slowly frozen and then thawed by applying different protocols. Ultrastructural change, follicle viability, and the hormone levels of culture supernatant were measured.

Results: The percentage of morphologically normal primordial follicles and the hormone levels of culture supernatant in group D (two-step, thawing in water at 39°C) were significantly higher than those in any other group. Moreover, the ultrastructural alteration of oocyte in group D (two-step, thawing in water at 39°C) was slighter than those in any other group.

Conclusions: The two-step protocol involving short-term exposure to water at a moderately high temperature (39°C) proved to be a suitable for thawing bovine whole ovaries.

Keywords: Bovine; Cryopreservation; Thaw; Whole ovaries.