Storage system comprising an emptied zona pellucida and spermatozoa placed therein and a method of cryopreservation
US6132952A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 1, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 17, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 1, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/43
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A procedure for cryopreservation and efficient post-thaw recovery of a single or few cells, preferably human spermatozoa, their precursor cells or blastomeres, which is achieved by injecting cells into cell-free mammalian zonae pellucidae. The cells may also be of any other type where there are provided a relatively small number of valuable cells which must be retrieved. The zona pellucida may be cryopreserved with the cells contained therein. The method involves a combination of physical micromanipulation procedures and cryoprotectant mediated cryopropreservation. The zonae may be tracked by positioning them into straws between two small air bubbles prior to preservation. There is a high recovery of zonae and sperm within the zonae, and a high fertilization rate of the sperm using ICSI after recovery.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.