Currently, the best method to vitrification of embryo is the Cryotop method (Nedambale et al., 2006)

Dear Farnam,

we use Cryotop method for vitrification. If you want I can send you whole protocol for equilibration, vitrification and thawing embryos.

My best regards,

Ondrej

Vitrification technique can be utilized

Vitrification by cryoloop device or in straws with minimum vitrification cryo-preservative to shorten the exposure to vitrification solution exposure before vitrification. This method will give very good post thaw survival and quality of vitrified embryo.

We use Cryotip from Irvine Sci. and Cryotop from Kitazato. For embryos both have excellent results, for oocytes I would recommend Cryotop. For me the usage of Cryotip is easier. They both have short and easy-to-carry-out protocols for freezing and for thawing, too. 

You can try OPS too, this is less expensive and effective method. 

Vitrification is the technique of choice,,you can use OPS or cryotop, same results, and as mentioned by Naresh, OPS is less expensive

Hello I definitely agree with all who recommend using straws. Very cheap and efficient method.

Regards,

Jiri

Dear Farnam,

i agree that the vitrification is the technique of choice. But, the time of equilibration of the embryos in equilibration media (usually half concentrated than vitrification media) might be dependend od the stage of development. For example, for morulas, 3 min exposure is enough, but the pronuclear zygote needs longer equilibration because of the different surface/ volume ratio. Also, because of the toxicity of vitrification media, the embryos can be exposed to it only for short time, usually one minute (within 1 minute you need to put the embryos into the vitrification media, take them out and put onto/into a device (cryotop, cryoloop, OPS) and plunged into liquid nitrogen). So the process needs to be practiced. Good luck

Barbora

Vitrification is the answer, not only for reducing the time for freezing, but also to achieve excellent survival and pregnancy rates. We use the latest technique by Dr Kuwayama, Cryotec Vitrification for oocytes, embryos and blastocysts. Vitrification is highly skill dependent, and the exact protocol recommended by the manufacturer must be followed to get optimum results.

Hi Farnam. If you are asking for shortening the time for vitrification, the only way is to open zona artificially. If you have lazer, it is very easy to do for cleavage embryos. But for blastocysts, you need artificially open the zona and also make some shots on trophoectoderm to empty blastocoel. This way, 4 minute equilibration with 45 seconds to 1 minute vitrification steps is usually enough for good survival.