Cell Biology JoVE (Open Access) Citable · DOI

Modified MicroSecure Vitrification: A Safe, Simple and Highly Effective Cryopreservation Procedure for Human Blastocysts

Name: Modified MicroSecure Vitrification: A Safe, Simple and Highly Effective Cryopreservation Procedure for Human Blastocysts
Uploaded: 2026-06-17
Duration: 9 min 35 s
Description: Clinical embryo vitrification evolved with the development of unique vitrification devices in the 21st century and with the misconception that ultra-rapid ...

DOI: 10.3791/54871-v

What you'll learn

✓ Prepare hydrophobic-plug-free embryo straws with inner seal for vitrification
✓ Execute modified MicroSecure vitrification protocol for human blastocysts
✓ Perform cryo-solution dilution and post-thaw blastocyst recovery
✓ Evaluate viability and pregnancy outcomes from vitrified embryos

Protocol

MicroSecure Vitrification was developed as a non-commercial, aseptic closed vitrification device system that is compliant with FDA good manufacturing and tissue-handling practices. Due to the withdrawal of hydrophobic plugged embryo straws from the industry, the vitrification procedure was modified to include an inner seal before the standard internal cotton plug.

Difficulty

advanced

Total time

~45 min per vitrification batch; 5-7 days post-thaw assessment

Model organism

Human blastocysts (in vitro)

Biosafety

BSL-1

Steps

Prepare straws, cryodilute, and load blastocysts

Assemble modified embryo straws with inner seal, perform stepwise cryodilution of blastocysts, and load samples into sealed straws in preparation for vitrification cooling.

▶ 01:10

Elute and dilute cryo-solution post-thaw

Thaw vitrified straws and perform stepwise cryo-solution elution and dilution to safely rehydrate and recover blastocyst samples.

▶ 04:22

Assess viability and pregnancy outcomes

Evaluate post-thaw blastocyst morphology, development, and implantation success rates compared to fresh control embryos.

▶ 06:47

💬 Comments coming soon