These experiments were carried out to clarify the effects various kinds of cryoprotectants which were frequently used in freezing embryos of domestic animals on the survival of frozen-thawed mouse embryos. As cryoprotectant, glycerol, DMSO and methanol were used and the procedures of adding them in medium were practiced by one-step or six-step adding method. Morphologically normal mouse embryos developed to blastocyst by in vitro culture after freezing and thawing were transferred to pseudopregnant recipients by surgical procedures. The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows: 1. The survival rates of the frozen-thawed 8-cell embryos, morulas and blastocysts following one-step addition of glycerol were 83.6, 80.3 adn 70.3%, respectively, while following six-step addition of glycerol, 69.2, 56.3 and 66.7% respectively. 2. When glycerol, DMSO and methanol were used as cryoprotectant under the same condition of freezing and thawing, the survival rates of frozen-thawed embryos were 74.0, 76.1 and 37.6%, respectively. 3. The implantation rate of embryos transferred to pseudopregnant recipients after freezing and thawing was 49.2%.
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