Vitrification in Assisted Reproduction: A User's Manual and Trouble-Shooting Guide

1. Vitrification: an overview
2. Vitrification in small quenched volumes with a minimal amount of, or without vitrificants: basic biophysics and thermodynamics
3. Disadvantages and benefits of vitrification
4. Development of vitrification solutions
5. Vitrification in animal reproduction: vitrification of embryos using open pulled straws
6. Vitrification in animal reproduction: vitrification of embryos using conventional straws with an ethylene glycol-based solutions
7. Cryoprotectant-free vitrification of spermatozoa
8. Potential developmental consequences of cryopreservation of mammalian oocytes and embryos
9. Vitrification of oocytes: general considerations and the use of the Cryotop method
10. Vitrification of oocytes: various procedures
11. Vitrification of oocytes using gold grid and slush nitrogen
12. Vitrifying and warming of oocytes using Cryotop
13. Vitrification of pronuclear embryos: research basis for aseptic technology and its application to oocytes and blastocysts
14. Vitrification of day 2–3 human embryos: using various techniques (Cryoloop, Cryotop, and conventional cryostraw)
15. One decade of experience with vitrification of human embryos in straws, hemi-straws, and high security vitrification straws
16. Vitrification of blastocysts using the Cryoloop technique
17. Vitrification of blastocysts using the electron microscope grid
18. Vitrifying and warming of human blastocysts using the Cryotop
19. Vitrification of ovarian tissues
20. Vitrification of human embryonic stem cells

Cryopreservation methods have become well established as an increasingly important therapeutic strategy in assisted reproduction. Vitrification in Assisted Reproduction: A User's Manual and Trouble-shooting Guide addresses this cryopreservation technique from an academic and technical viewpoint, with specific reference to assisted reproduction in humans. Hence, two decades after the first publication on vitrification as an ice crystal-free cryopreservation method for embryos, this book fulfills the need for a book that considers this new and under-utilized cryopreservation technique in detail, outlining those techniques that result in success, and providing recommended means of overcoming the problems typically encountered. The book covers a historical overview of the principles and development of vitrification techniques in animal and humans, the various consumables utilized for the vitrification of cells and tissue and suppliers thereof; the vitrification and warming technique for oocytes, sperm, pronuclear stage embryos, cleavage stage embryos, blastocysts, ovarian tissue and embryonic stem cells. Wherever applicable, the setting up including protocol, operation, maintenance and trouble-shooting of the different protocols used for vitrifying various stages of cells and tissues is also covered. Vitrification in Assisted Reproduction is an invaluable textbook for clinical and reproductive medicine practitioners and ART specialists.