MediCult Vitrification Cooling

MediCult Vitrification Cooling is used for ultra-rapid cooling and storage of oocytes and embryos.
For warming, see MediCult Vitrification Warming

Background

Vitrification, or achieving a glass-like state (-130°C for water), was first described as a potential alternative to slow freezing in 1985. Since chilling injury to oocytes is time dependent, the rationale is to prevent ice formation and injury by cooling at a rate fast enough to solidify the intracellular water before it can crystallize.

The extra- and  intracellular conditions that exist and allow for cryosurvival at -30°C during slow freezing, are mimicked during the vitrification process, but at or near room temperature. This is accomplished by exposing the cell to high concentrations of cryoprotectant for a very short equilibration followed by ultra rapid cooling by plunging into liquid nitrogen. The high osmolarity of the vitrification medium rapidly dehydrates the cell and the submersion into liquid nitrogen quickly solidifies the cell before the remaining intracellular water has time to form damaging ice crystals.

Two important aspects of this technique are the increased toxicity levels of the cryoprotectant at room temperature and the ability to vitrify (cool) and warm quickly enough to avoid crystal formation and devitrification. Healthy children have already been born after insemination of  vitrified oocytes, thus demonstrating that these concerns can be overcome. Another advantage of vitrification is that it is possible to observe the entire procedure in the laboratory.

The McGill Cryoleaf™

The McGill Cryoleaf™ is a vitrification & storage device with greatly improved handling, making it very easy to load and store oocytes/ embryos.

Dr. Chian and Prof. Tan at McGill University, Montreal, developed the McGill Cryoleaf™ and the vitrification media for MediCult.

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