Fig. 3.

Optimized loading of cryoprotectants (CPA) may improve oocyte cryosurvival by mitigating stresses due to rapid media exchange and resulting osmolality shifts. a A microfluidic device has been shown to be able gradually load CPA into mouse oocytes and prevent rapid volume excursions normally experience with current manual methods of moving oocytes between separate media (0 mM PROH to 1.5 mM PROH; adapted from [41]). Additionally, this approach may reduce stress due to physical movement of the oocyte. b Schematic of a theoretical device to automate and optimize oocyte CPA mixing and loading by flowing media over the oocyte. Incorporation of a carrier device into the CPA loading chamber may alleviate variability and reduce errors with device loading. Following exposure, the loading device can be removed and immediately cooled/vitrified. A similar gradual mixing device may be useful during thawing/warming to optimize CPA unloading