Residual ethylene glycol and dimethyl sulphoxide concentration in human ovarian tissue during warming/thawing steps following cryopreservation

Reprod Biomed Online. 2017 Sep;35(3):311-313. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2017.05.016. Epub 2017 Jun 6.

Abstract

There have been 60 births after transplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue: 58 using the slow freezing method, and two using the vitrification method. DMSO and EG are widely used as cryoprotectants. However DMSO is a known epimutagen, and EG has been reported to be toxic in high concentrations. In this study, we measured residual DMSO and EG in ovarian tissue after vitrification and slow freezing. Cryoprotectants remained at a high concentration in the vitrified/warmed ovarian tissue just before transplantation (DMSO: 9.8 mg/g, EG: 9.8 mg/g). We must consider the impact of the cryoprotectants on the mother and the baby.

Keywords: Cryopreservation; Dimethyl sulphoxide; Epimutagen; Ethylene glycol; Ovarian tissue.

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cryopreservation* / methods
  • Cryoprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Cryoprotective Agents / toxicity
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide / pharmacology*
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide / toxicity
  • Drug Residues / toxicity*
  • Embryo Transfer / adverse effects
  • Embryo Transfer / methods
  • Ethylene Glycol / pharmacology*
  • Ethylene Glycol / toxicity
  • Female
  • Freezing
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects
  • Oocytes / chemistry
  • Oocytes / cytology
  • Oocytes / drug effects*
  • Ovarian Follicle / chemistry
  • Ovarian Follicle / cytology
  • Ovarian Follicle / drug effects
  • Ovary* / chemistry
  • Ovary* / drug effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Vitrification

Substances

  • Cryoprotective Agents
  • Ethylene Glycol
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide