The researchers compared different methods of freezing mouse embryos and found that adding beta-mercaptoethanol (β-ME) to the culture medium improved survival and implantation rates. Slow freezing and OPS vitrification resulted in lower blastocyst formation rates compared to SSV vitrification and fresh embryos. However, when β-ME was added, blastocyst formation rates increased for all methods. Implantation rates were highest for embryos vitrified by SSV, similar to fresh embryos. In conclusion, adding β-ME to the culture medium can enhance the survival and implantation of frozen-thawed mouse embryos after various cryopreservation techniques.