Freezing mouse embryos with ethylene glycol could revolutionize fertility treatments worldwide.
In this research, scientists tested how well ethylene glycol (EG) works as a cryoprotectant for freezing mouse embryos. They also compared different freezing methods to see which one is better for embryo survival and development. Using mouse embryos at different stages, they froze them with EG, propylene glycol (PROH), or glycerol using a slow freezing method. Results showed that EG was better than PROH and glycerol at helping embryos develop after thawing. The quick freezing method had higher survival rates than slow freezing. Additionally, embryos frozen with EG at the single-cell stage had better development quality compared to PROH and glycerol groups. Overall, the study suggests that using EG for freezing mouse embryos is more effective than other cryoprotectants tested, and swift freezing may be better than slow freezing for preserving embryos.