Abstract
The possible impact of cryopreservation on biopsied 8-cell mouse embryos was investigated. Biopsied and control 8-cell embryos were cryopreserved using a slow freezing and quick thawing protocol with 1,2-propanediol as a cryoprotectant. The cryopreservation process did not affect either the recovery or the survival of biopsied embryos, when compared with intact controls; however, sham controls survived significantly better than biopsied 8-cell embryos (88.6 versus 74.2%, P < 0.001). When fully and partially intact surviving embryos were cultured in vitro to the blastocyst stage, there was no difference in the proportions of embryos which formed blastocysts (biopsy 97.2%, intact control 98.4% and sham con trol 93.7%). The developmental potential and fetal develop ment in vivo following embryo transfer were not impaired when assessed on day 17 of pregnancy. Cryopreservation of biopsied 8-cell mouse embryos is therefore a feasible approach to storing embryos while analysis of the biopsied material is carried out.

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