The effect of different vitrification protocols on cell survival in human ovarian tissue: a pilot study

• Published in: Journal of Ovarian Research 2021, Vol.14 (1)
• Main Authors: Marschalek, J, Egarter, C, Nouri, K, Dekan, S, Ott, J, Frank, M, Pietrowski, D
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Dimethyl sulfoxide; Ethylene glycol; Fluorescence; Nonprescription drugs; Transgender people
• ISSN: 1757-2215; 1757-2215
• DOI: 10.1186/s13048-021-00924-8

Vitrification has superseded the slow freezing method for cryopreservation of oocytes, embryos, and sperm, but there are as yet no standard protocols for its use in ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC). Published protocols diverge mainly with regard to the extent of supplementation of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to the vitrification medium, and to the use of an open or closed vitrification system. Twelve ovarian samples were donated from female-to-male transgender patients: 6 were vitrified according to protocol 1, the other 6 according to protocol 2. The amount of viable cells was 90.1% (P1) and 88.4% (P2) before vitrification. After vitrification and subsequent warming, viable cells were reduced to 82.9% (P1, p = 0.093) and 72.4% (P2, p = 0.019). When comparing the closed and the open systems, the decline in cell viability from pre- to post-vitrification was significant only for the latter (p = 0.037). Histological examination reveals no significant differences with respect to degenerated follicles before or after vitrification. These results led us to conclude that a protocol containing DMSO results in a higher viability of ovarian cells than a protocol that uses ethylene glycol as cryoprotective agent in vitrification. The use of an open vitrification system led to significant decline in the rate of viable cells.