野葛试管苗茎尖玻璃化法超低温保存及植株再生

对野葛茎尖玻璃化法超低温保存技术的研究结果表明,H号野葛茎尖较佳的保存技术体系是:继代生长30 d的野葛无菌苗置于4℃冰箱炼苗5 d;在无菌条件下切取含1~2个叶原基(1.5~2.5 mm)的茎尖,转至含5% DMSO+5%蔗糖的MS培养基内,置于4℃冰箱预培养1 d;用60%、100% PVS₂(30%甘油+15%乙二醇+15% DMSO+13.7%蔗糖)分别在0℃下过渡和脱水各30 min,随即迅速投入液氮;保存24 h后,在40℃水浴中快速化冻90 s,用含41.1%蔗糖的MS培养液洗涤2次,每次停留10 min;转至再生培养基(MS+6-BA 2 mg/L+NAA 1 mg/L)暗培养7 d,然后光下培养,再生率可达60%以上。再生苗与常温苗形态指标差异不显著。     

雨生红球藻FACHB-712营养细胞和厚壁孢子低温保藏效果及优化

以高产虾青素的雨生红球藻（Haematococcus pluvialis Flotow）FACHB-712藻株为材料,研究2种细胞形态（营养细胞和厚壁孢子）在低温保藏下的复苏率及其差异原因。结果显示,采用两步法（先预冻降温后再投入液氮中）冻存其营养细胞,在不同冻存条件下,其存活率均低于5%,以10%甘油作为保护剂、冻存速率为0.5℃/min、预冻温度为-40℃、保留30 min,然后再投入液氮罐（-196℃）中保藏,其存活率可达到13.3%。采用两步法冻存厚壁孢子,其复苏存活率高达66.13%,复苏萌发后细胞的生长特性、虾青素含量与液氮保藏前无明显差异（P > 0.05）。对液氮保藏前后藻细胞形态和超微结构观察结果表明,超低温保藏后,营养细胞的结构受到较大损伤,而厚壁孢子受到的损伤相对较小。当添加不同保护剂后,直接将厚壁孢子分别冻存在-20℃、-80℃低温及液氮中,发现-80℃低温冻存处理组的复苏存活率相对较高,可达27%。研究表明采用两步法先预冻降温后再投入液氮中冻存厚壁孢子,是长期保藏雨生红球藻FACHB-712的最佳方法,也可采用一步法将厚壁孢子冻存于-80℃冰箱中。     

Pregnancy rates after transfer of frozen bovine embryos: a field trial

An efficient and practical technique for bovine embryo cryopreservation is a fundamental issue in the widespread use of embryo transfer. The present study shows results obtained in field experiments. In the first experiment, two slow-freezing methods using glycerol and a one-step method using ethylene glycol were compared: glycerol added in two steps (5 and then 10%), glycerol added in one step (10%) and 1.5 M ethylene glycol with direct transfer. The three methods were equally effective; pregnancy rates of 40.4, 39.1 and 45.4%, respectively were achieved. In the second experiment, using 1.5 M ethylene glycol with direct transfer, 20 and 5 min of equilibration of the cryoprotectant were tested. There were no observed significant differences in pregnancy rates. In the third experiment, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol were combined with three sucrose concentrations (0, 0.1 or 0.3 M) in a one-step method. It was observed that ethylene glycol and 0.1 M sucrose yielded the highest pregnancy rate, not differing from fresh controls. Similar pregnancy rates were noted after using multiple-step or one-step methods, but the one-step method is preferable due to its simplicity and applicability to field conditions.     

Cryopreservation of Calli and Their Suspension Culture Cells of Anisodus acutangulus

Calli and their suspension culture cells of Anisodus acutangulus cultures which had been cryopreservated showed no change in cell morphology or growth potential in culture and retained biosynthesis ability of hyoscyamine and scopolamine. Cells viability beyond 90% has been obtained after cryopreservation. In cryoperservation experiments, calli were better than their suspension culture cells, the younger was better than the older, –196 ℃ was better than –20 ℃, cryoprotectant lactalbumin hydrolysate was similar to the dimethyl sulfoxide. Calli and their suspension culture cells of Al acutangulus could not be cryopreservated in the presence of cryoprotectant glycerine or in the absence of cryprotectant.     

利用脱落酸和冷适应提高坛紫菜丝状体种质的冻存效率

为验证脱落酸(ABA)和冷适应能否提高紫菜丝状体种质的冷冻保存效率,研究以坛紫菜(Pyropia haitanensis)自由丝状体为材料,在20℃,光强40μmol·photons/(m2·s),在光周期12L﹕12D条件下以ABA(100μmol/L)处理48h或4℃暗培养6d,随后进行–80℃冷冻保存实验.通过连...     

Cryopreservation of immature porcine testis tissue to maintain its developmental potential after xenografting into recipient mice

The purpose of this study was to develop effective strategies for cooling and cryopreservation of immature porcine testis tissue that maintain its developmental potential. Testes from 1-wk-old piglets (Sus domestica) were subjected to 1 of 12 cooling/cryopreservation protocols: as intact testes, cooling at 4 °C for 24, 48, or 72 h (Experiment 1); as fragments, programmed slow-freezing with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), glycerol, or ethylene glycol (Experiment 2); or solid-surface vitrification using DMSO, glycerol, or ethylene glycol, each using 5-, 15-, or 30-min cryoprotectant exposure times (Experiment 3). For testis tissue xenografting, four immunodeficient recipient mice were assigned to each protocol, and each mouse received eight grafts. Recipient mice were killed 16 wk after grafting to assess the status of graft development. Based on morphology and in vitro assessment of cell viability, cooling of testis tissue for up to 72 h maintained structural integrity, cell viability, in vivo growth, and developmental potential up to complete spermatogenesis comparable with that of fresh tissue (control). In frozen-thawed testis tissues, higher numbers of viable cells were present after programmed slow-freezing using glycerol compared with that after DMSO or ethylene glycol (P < 0.001). Among the vitrified groups, exposure to DMSO for 5 min yielded numerically higher viable cell numbers than that of other groups. Cryopreserved tissue fragments recovered after xenografting had normal spermatogenesis; germ cells advanced to round and elongated spermatids after programmed slow-freezing using glycerol, as well as after vitrification using glycerol with 5- or 15-min exposures, or using DMSO for a 5-min exposure.     

Pollen Cryopreservation and Pollen Protoplast Isolation in Brassica carnpestris var.purpurea

The authors have investigated the factors affecting pollen cryopreservation in Brassica campestris var. purpurea, such as pollen development stages cryoprotectant and the process of freezing. A suitable procedure was established as follows :Pollen grains suspended in B5 medium containing 10X DMSO and 1SM sucrose were frozen by a three- –1℃/min – 1 ℃/min step method(0℃———→–10 ℃ ,standing for 15 min———→–40 ℃ , standing for 1 hr→liquid nitrogen)and later thawed in 40℃ water bath. During a period of 60, 90 days′preservation, the relative survival percentage of mature (at the day of anthesis)and nearly mature(2 days before anthesis, trinucleate stage)pollens maintained at ca. 91% that of young pollens(7-8 days before anthesis, late uninucleate stage to early binucleate stage)slightly declined from the original 91.6% to 84. 3%. Culture. experiment showed that the cryopreserved young pollen could be induced to cell division just as well as the fresh pollen. The method of isolating protoplasts from fresh mature pollen developed previously was improved and simplified. As a result, protoplasts were isolated more conveniently from mature pollen and young pollen for the first time. The protoplasts from cryopreserved mature and young pollen could be obtained as well with an isolation rate of 77.4% and 35.9% respectively. However, for isolation of protoplasts from preserved young pollen, an incubation in NLN medium at 35℃ after thawing was necessary.     

Three dimensional in vitro culture of preantral follicles following slow-freezing and vitrification of mouse ovarian tissue

To evaluate the effects slow-freezing and vitrification on three dimensional in vitro culture of preantral follicles, ovaries of 12–14 days old female NMRI mice were isolated and randomly assigned to fresh control, slow-freezing and vitrification groups. Slow-freezing was performed using programmable freezer. Vitrification was carried out in a medium consisting of ethylene glycol (EG) and dimethyl sulphoxide (Me₂SO) by needle immersion method. middle sized preantral follicles were mechanically isolated and cultured for 12 days in 0.7% sodium alginate gel. The follicles development and quantitative expression of oocyte specific genes (Bmp15, Gdf9, Fgf8) and the growth related genes (Igf1, Kit, Kit-l) were assessed after 1, 8 and 12 days of culture. Both cryopreserved groups showed reduction of follicular survival rates compared to the control group on days 8 and 12 of culture (P < 0.05). Antrum formation rates reduced in slow-freezing after 12 days of culture (P < 0.05). Evaluation of gene expression showed reduction of Bmp15, Gdf9, Fgf8, Kit and Kit-l during 12 days of culture (P < 0.05). Kit and Kit-l expression in slow-freezing group significantly reduced on day 8 of culture (p < 0.05). Igf1 expression was lower in slow-freezing group on 1st day of culture than vitrification and control groups (P < 0.05). Finally, intergroup comparison showed same expression pattern of genes after 12 days of culture. Thus, cryopreservation of mouse ovaries by both methods can preserve most developmental parameters and expression of maturation genes. However, vitrification is a better method for cryopreservation of mouse ovaries due to greater antrum formation and expression of growth related markers.     

渗透与非渗透性抗冻剂联用技术对铜绿微囊藻的超低温保藏研究

铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa Kütz)是一种在全世界分部很广的淡水水华蓝藻。在实验室长期的研究工作中, 为了使铜绿微囊藻能维持稳定的生理学特征, 通常使用超低温保藏技术长期冻存藻细胞。研究发现, 同时使用渗透性和非渗透性的抗冻剂比只使用传统的渗透性保护剂能显著提高Microcystis aeruginosa超低温保藏的存活率。以三株铜绿微囊藻为材料进行二步法超低温保藏, 对4 种抗冻剂(甲醇、二甲亚砜、丙三醇、聚乙烯吡咯烷酮), 两种降温速率(-1 /℃min、-0.5℃/min), 第一步温度设置(-30℃、-40℃、-80℃)进行筛选; 用流式细胞仪和细胞计数检测存活率, 并监测冻后相关生理参数、PSII、细胞色素、生长曲线等以确保该方法可保持藻株的活性和生理状态。结果表明, 5%的二甲亚砜和30%的聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(PVP)同时使用时能达到最好效果, 并能保持生理活性与冻前一致。       

Cryopreservation of preantral ovarian follicles in situ from domestic cats (Felis catus) using different cryoprotective agents

The objective of this investigation was to verify the structural characteristics of preantral follicles (PAF) of cat ovarian tissue after cryopreservation in 1.5 M glycerol or ethylene glycol, using a slow-freezing procedure. Ovaries (n = 10) from domestic cats were divided into fragments. One fragment was immediately preserved for classical histology (fresh control), and additional fragments were immersed in minimum essential medium plus 10% bovine fetal serum (MEM+BFS), or MEM+BFS supplemented with 1.5 M glycerol or ethylene glycol. The samples were frozen and plunged into liquid nitrogen. After 1 wk, the samples were thawed. A total of 600 PAF were evaluated. In the fresh control, there were 71.3% normal PAF. After thawing, the rates of normal PAF were 26.0, 39.3 and 58.0% for samples without cryoprotectant or with glycerol or ethylene glycol, respectively. We concluded that ethylene glycol was useful for the cryopreservation of feline PAF in situ.     

Changes to the meiotic spindle and zona pellucida of mature mouse oocytes following different cryopreservation methods

This study is to investigate the change of morphology of the meiotic spindle and the extent of zona hardening relating to the morphological survival and developmental competence of thawed oocytes. Four- to 8-week-old female mice (C57BL/6) primed with an intraperitoneal injection of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin. Cryopreserved oocytes using two protocols: vitrificaton using ethylene glycol (EG) and slow freezing using propanediol (PROH). The freezing oocytes were thawed and were fertilized and subsequently cultured in vitro. Spindle/chromosome imagery, dissolution of zona pellucida, and post-thawing survival and development were comparable between two groups. The vitrification cryopreservation method proved to be better than the slow-freezing protocol when comparing the frequency of normal-shaped spindle development post-thawing. The difference in the time required for the dissolution of the zona pellucida under treatment of pronase that was determined to exist between the two cryopreservation methods was statistically significant (P<0.005). The survival rate of post-thawed mature oocytes was significantly greater for the vitrification group than it was for the slow-freezing cryopreservation group (P=0.005). The vitrification cryopreservation of mature murine oocytes would appear to be more satisfactory than the slow controlled-rate freezing method as regards the post-thawing oocyte survival and also the incidence of the normal spindle apparatus in the ooplasm.     

Cryopreservation of the mouse ovary inhibits the onset of primordial follicle development

The cryopreservation of ovarian tissue has been reported to affect the development of preantral follicles. However, the effect of cryopreservation of ovarian tissue on the development of primordial follicles remains to be elucidated. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cryopreservation on the development of frozen-thawed mouse primordial follicles. One-day-old mouse ovaries were cryopreserved by either slow-freezing or a vitrification method. The development of primordial follicles was evaluated histologically and also with markers for follicle development such as: GDF-9, inhibin-alpha subunit and ZP3 in fresh and frozen-thawed ovaries cultured for five days. The proportion of apoptotic and necrotic areas was analyzed in fresh and frozen-thawed ovaries at one and five days after culture, in order to examine the viability of ovarian cells that influence primordial follicle development. The development rate of primordial follicles was significantly lower in slow-frozen and vitrified ovaries than the fresh controls after five days of in vitro culture (P<0.05). The mRNA expression for all developmental markers was slightly decreased in the frozen-thawed ovaries; this difference was not significant. The proportion of apoptosis was significantly increased in the slow-frozen and vitrified ovaries compared to the fresh ovaries at one day (P<0.05); however, there was no difference at five days after culture. The proportion of the area of necrosis was significantly higher in slow-frozen and vitrified ovaries compared to the fresh ovaries at one and five days after culture (P<0.05). Our preliminary data suggest that ovarian tissue cryopreservation using slow-freezing and vitrification methods inhibits development of primordial follicles. This may be caused by the death of ovarian cells through apoptosis and necrosis after cryopreservation.     

Plant Regeneration from Protoplasts of Coriandrum sativum

Calli produced from stem segments of seedling of Coriandrum satwum which were cultured on MS agar medium containing NAA 1.0mg/L. The embryogenic cell colony suspension was estabilished on MS liquid medium containing NAA 1.0mg/L%2,4-D 0.2mg/L+BA 0.5 mg/L. The cell suspension culture was used for protoplast preparation. Protoplasts were obtained in the enzyme mixture containing 2.0% Onozuka R-10, 1.0% pectinase, 0.5% snailase, 0.5% dextran sulfate potassium Salt, 0.6mol/L mannital CPW solution at pH 5.8 and 25℃. Cultured in a KM8P liquid medium containing NAA 1.0mg/L+2,4-D 0.2mg/L+6-BA 0.5 mg/L, glucose 0.4mol/L and CM 20mi/L; the protoplasts entered the stage of derision after three days, cell clusters formed in 10 days and calli formed after about 50 days. When the calli were transferred to MS agar medium containing many growth substances, they differentiated into embryoids, and then developed into plantlet with many green leaves and roots on the 1/2 MS agar medium.     

Development and subsequent cryotolerance of domestic cat embryos cultured in serum-free and serum-containing media

The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of the presence or absence of serum during the in vitro culturing period of domestic cat embryos on their developmental potential into blastocysts as well as their tolerance to cryopreservation using a slow-freezing method. In vitro-fertilized cat oocytes were incubated in a modified synthetic oviduct fluid (mSOF) containing 4 mg/mL bovine serum albumin (BSA) throughout culturing (BSA group) or in mSOF containing 4 mg/mL BSA for the first 3 days followed by mSOF containing 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS group). The developmental potential of the embryos to the blastocyst and expanded blastocyst stages was evaluated 7 days after in vitro fertilization. The blastocysts were frozen-thawed by the slow-freezing method and cultured for 3 days to examine their viability in vitro. There were no differences in the formation rates of blastocysts or expanded blastocysts, or number of cells in the embryos between the two groups. After cryopreservation, the hatching rates of the expanded blastocysts in the BSA group were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of the FBS group. The postthaw viability of blastocysts was lower than that of expanded blastocysts irrespective of culture medium. These results indicate that the developmental potential of cat embryos cultured in serum-free medium is comparable to those cultured in serum-containing medium. Furthermore, expanded blastocysts produced without serum exhibit better postthaw viability than those produced with serum.     

Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration from Protoplasts of Cowpea (Vigna sinensis)

Immature cotyledons of cowpea (Vigna sinensis Endlo) were used for protoplast isolation. Enzyme solution for protoplast isolation contained 40% cellulase Onozuka R-10,0.30% Macerozyme R-10 and 2% hemicellulase. The purified protoplasts were cultured in Bs,MS or KM8p liquid medium in dark (25℃) at a density of 1 × 105–5 × 105/ml. The protoplasts started cell division in 3–5 days . Sustained cell divisions resulted ill formation of cell clusters and small calli,with cell division frequency reaching 23%–28% in MS medium . Calli of 2 mm in size were transferred onto MSB (MS salts+B5 vitamins) medium with 2 mg/L 2,4-D, 0. 5mg /L BA forfurther growth. Embryogenic calli appeared on this medium. After passage to fresh medium with the same composition, the embryogenic calli were transferred into MSB liquid medium to establish suspension culture. When the suspended calli were transferred back onto MSB agar medium with 0. 1 mg /L IAA, 0.5mg/L KT, 5% mannitol (cultured in light,2000 lx,12h/d), a lot of adventitious roots formed in 7–10 days, and then somatic embryos formed from the protoplast derived calli. But only a few embryoids developed further into the cotyledonary stage ,and the others died at globular, heart-shaped, or torpeto stage . Finally, some cotyledonary embryoids germinated and developed into plantlets or shoots with leaves.     

Cryopreservation of primate embryonic stem cells with chemically-defined solution without Me2SO

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells are expected to be useful in the fields of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering due to their pluripotency. Therefore, it is necessary to establish highly efficient and reliable methods for the cryopreservation of hES cells. We have cryopreserved cynomolgus and human ES cells by the vitrification method, using a chemically-defined dimethyl sulfoxide (Me₂SO)-free and serum-free medium composed of Euro-Collins solution as a base medium and 40% (v/v) ethylene glycol (EG) and 10% (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG) as cryoprotectants. When the vitrification and the cryoprotectants were combined, the recovery ratio of hES cells was 22.9 ± 7.7%, compared to 0.4 ± 0.2% when the conventional slow-freezing method was used. After the cryopreservation and thawing cycle, hES cells were easily cultured and expressed undifferentiated cell markers such as Nanog, Oct-4, SSEA-4, and alkaline phosphatase activity after several subculturing steps. We also found that the pluripotency of hES cells was maintained, as demonstrated by teratoma formation of ES cells transplanted into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Thus, we conclude that we have successfully cryopreserved primate ES cells with high efficiency using a Me₂SO-free, chemically-defined medium.     

Comparison between two cryopreservation techniques of human ovarian cortex: morphological aspects and the heat shock response (HSR)

This study was tailored to compare the cryopreservation of the human ovarian cortex using closed metal container vitrification or the slow-freezing technique. Superficial ovarian cortical tissue biopsies were collected from 12 participants who underwent gynaecological videolaparoscopy. The fragmented samples were allocated to three experimental conditions: (a) fresh ovarian tissue, (b) slow-freezing, and (c) vitrification with a metal closed container. After thawing or rewarming, cellular morphological analyses were performed to determine tissue viability. The cellular response to thermal stress was measured by a putative increase in the immune quantification of the heat shock protein 70 kDa (heat shock protein 70 kDa response — HSR) after a heat challenge (2 h exposure at 42 °C). Both the total number of intact follicles and the frequency of primordial follicles were higher in fresh ovarian tissue than in the preserved samples, regardless of the technique employed. There was a trend towards an increase in the absolute number of intact follicles in the tissue preserved by vitrification. After cryopreservation, a higher HSR was obtained after slow-freezing. These results indicate that both cryopreservation techniques present advantages and may be used as alternatives to ovarian tissue cryopreservation.     

Fertilizing potential of mouse spermatozoa cryopreserved in a medium containing whole eggs

Experiments were conducted to improve survival of mouse spermatozoa through the cryopreservation process. In the first experiment, percentages of motile spermatozoa and fertilizing capacities of spermatozoa were evaluated when mouse spermatozoa were cryopreserved using three previously reported cryopreservation media: (1) 18% raffinose in 3% skim milk; (2) Tes/Tris medium containing 25% egg yolk and 1.25% glycerol; and (3) PBS containing 18% raffinose and 1.75% glycerol, each at three different cooling rates (-3, -10, and -50 degrees C/min). Spermatozoa frozen in the skim milk/raffinose medium exhibited the highest percentage of motile spermatozoa (39%) when cells were frozen at -10 degrees C/min (P<0.05). The second experiment evaluated the effects of modifying the Tes/Tris/egg yolk medium, comparing different concentrations of egg yolk, BSA, and sodium dodecyl sulfate. Reducing egg yolk from 25% of the medium volume to 5%, increased percentages of motile spermatozoa after cryopreservation from 29 to 36% (P<0.05). Addition of 1% BSA and sodium dodecyl sulfate to medium containing 5% egg yolk further improved percentages of motile spermatozoa after freezing. In the final experiment, 20% whole egg was substituted for 5% egg yolk and 1% BSA used in previous experiments and resulted in percentages of motile spermatozoa (51%) equal to that of the skim milk-raffinose medium. However, fertility rates were higher (68%) than for spermatozoa frozen in the skim milk-raffinose medium (P < 0.05) and were comparable to the fertility rates of fresh spermatozoa (77%; P>0.05). In conclusion, freezing mouse spermatozoa in a medium containing 20% whole egg, 0.035% sodium dodecyl sulfate, and 1.25% glycerol using a cooling rate of -10 degrees C/min preserves the motility and fertilization capacity of mouse spermatozoa.     

Effect of seminal plasma on the cryopreservation of equine spermatozoa

Seminal plasma is generally removed from equine spermatozoa prior to cryopreservation. Two experiments were designed to determine if adding seminal plasma back to spermatozoa, prior to cryopreservation, would benefit the spermatozoa. Experiment 1 determined if different concentrations of seminal plasma affected post-thaw sperm motility, viability and acrosomal integrity of frozen/thawed stallion spermatozoa. Semen was washed through 15% Percoll to remove seminal plasma and spermatozoa resuspended to 350 x 10(6)sperm/mL in a clear Hepes buffered diluent containing either 0, 5, 10, 20, 40 or 80% seminal plasma for 15 min, prior to being diluted to a final concentration of 50 x 10(6)sperm/mL in a Lactose-EDTA freezing diluent and cryopreserved. Sperm motility was analyzed at 10 and 90 min after thawing, while sperm viability and acrosomal integrity were analyzed 20 min after thawing. Seminal plasma did not affect sperm motility, viability or acrosomal integrity (P>0.05). Experiment 2 tested the main affects of seminal plasma level (5 or 20%), incubation temperature (5 or 20 degrees C) and incubation time (2, 4 or 6 h) prior to cryopreservation. In this experiment, spermatozoa were incubated with 5 or 20% seminal plasma for up to 6h at either 5 or 20 degrees C prior to cryopreservation in a skim milk, egg yolk freezing extender. Samples cooled immediately to 5 degrees C, prior to freezing had higher percentages of progressively motile spermatozoa than treatments incubated at 20 degrees C (31 versus 25%, respectively; P<0.05), when analyzed 10 min after thawing. At 90 min post-thaw, total motility was higher for samples incubated at 5 degrees C (42%) compared to 20 degrees C (35%; P<0.05). In addition, samples containing 5% seminal plasma had higher percentages of total and progressively motile spermatozoa (45 and 15%) than samples exposed to 20% seminal plasma (33 and 9%; P<0.05). In conclusion, although the short-term exposure of sperm to seminal plasma had no significant effect on the motility of cryopreserved equine spermatozoa, prolonged exposure to seminal plasma, prior to cryopreservation, was deleterious.     

Optimization of cryopreservation of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) blastocysts produced by in vitro fertilization and somatic cell nuclear transfer

The objective of this study was to optimize cryopreservation conditions for buffalo in vitro produced (IVP) embryos. The in vitro fertilized (IVF) and somatic cell nuclear transferred (SCNT) blastocysts were vitrified with either 40% ethylene glycol (EG), 25% EG + 25% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), or 20% EG + 20% DMSO + 0.5 m sucrose, and the IVF blastocysts produced from abattoir-derived ovaries were also slow-frozen with either 10% EG or 0.05 m trehalose dehydrate + 1.8% EG + 0.4% BSA. Cryosurvival rates of blastocysts harvested on various days or at various developmental stages were also examined. In this study: (1) vitrification with 20% EG + 20% DMSO + 0.5 m sucrose had the best cryopreservation efficiency; (2) IVF and SCNT blastocysts had similar cryotolerance (P > 0.05); (3) after thawing, slow-frozen blastocysts reexpanded earlier than the vitrified blastocysts (P < 0.01); (4) cryosurvival rate of expanded blastocysts was higher than that of early blastocysts (P < 0.05); (5) cryosurvival rates of Days 5 to 7 blastocysts (Day 0 = day of IVF or SCNT) were higher than those of Days 8 to 9 blastocysts (P < 0.01); and (6) after embryo transfer, pregnancy rates for fresh and cryopreserved blastocysts were not different (P > 0.05). In conclusion, vitrification of Days 6 to 7 expanded blastocysts with 20% EG + 20% DMSO + 0.5 m sucrose was optimal for cryopreservation of buffalo IVP embryos.