| Title |
Reversible Disassembly of the Actin Cytoskeleton Improves the Survival Rate and Developmental Competence of Cryopreserved Mouse Oocytes |
| Authors |
Basarab G. Hosu, Steven F. Mullen, John K. Critser, Gabor Forgacs |
| Publication Info |
PLoS one 3/7/1-9 |
| Date Published |
Jul 7, 2008 |
| Abstract |
Effective cryopreservation of oocytes is critically needed in many areas of human reproductive medicine and basic science,
such as stem cell research. Currently, oocyte cryopreservation has a low success rate. The goal of this study was to
understand the mechanisms associated with oocyte cryopreservation through biophysical means using a mouse model.
Specifically, we experimentally investigated the biomechanical properties of the ooplasm prior and after cryopreservation as
well as the consequences of reversible dismantling of the F-actin network in mouse oocytes prior to freezing. The study was
complemented with the evaluation of post-thaw developmental competence of oocytes after in vitro fertilization. Our
results show that the freezing-thawing process markedly alters the physiological viscoelastic properties of the actin
cytoskeleton. The reversible depolymerization of the F-actin network prior to freezing preserves normal ooplasm
viscoelastic properties, results in high post-thaw survival and significantly improves developmental competence. These
findings provide new information on the biophysical characteristics of mammalian oocytes, identify a pathophysiological
mechanism underlying cryodamage and suggest a novel cryopreservation method. |
| Article |
/pdfs/Reversible_Disassembly.pdf |
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