Viability of Mouse Morula Embryos Frozen Rapidly in Liquid Nitrogen Vapour
The effects of cryoprotectants (glycerol, DMSO and ethylene glycol) and the concentrations (0, 0, 25, 0.5and 1.0 M) of sucrose in the diluent on the is vitro survival of mouse morulae froaen rapidly in liquid nitrogenvapour were examined. When the embryos were equilibrated in 1.5 M cryoprotectants +0.25 M sucrose in one-step or in 3.0 M cryoprotectants +0.25 sucrose in two-step and diluted with 0, 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 M sucrose solution after thawing, high survival rates were obtained in ethylene glycol (48.0% to 88.2 %) or in glycerol (35.0 % to 77.8 %). These results show that 1.5 M ethylene glycol is a highly efficient cryoprotective agent for the rapid freezing of mouse morula embryos and 0.5 M sucrose was optimal concentration in the diluent after thawing.