What Is Cryopreservation and What Equipment Does It Require?

Cryopreservation is the process of cooling biological material to sub-zero temperatures to suspend cellular activity and preserve viability for future use. In clinical IVF practice, cryopreservation is applied to sperm, embryos, oocytes, and – in specific clinical scenarios – ovarian and testicular tissue. The two primary methods are slow-freeze cryopreservation (using a controlled rate freezer) and vitrification (using ultra-rapid cooling rates greater than 10,000 degrees C per minute). Both result in samples stored at -195.8 degrees C in liquid nitrogen.

What equipment is required for slow-freeze cryopreservation?

Slow-freeze cryopreservation requires a controlled rate freezer, which cools samples at a programmed rate typically between -0.3 and -2 degrees C per minute. The CBS DigitCool controlled rate freezer is designed for sperm cryopreservation in IVF and andrology. Samples are loaded into straws or cryovials, placed in the freezer, cooled to a seeding point, cooled further to transfer temperature, and then plunged into liquid nitrogen for storage.

What equipment is required for vitrification?

Vitrification requires a vitrification kit – a carrier system and a matched set of cryoprotectant solutions. The sample is loaded onto the carrier in a minimum volume of cryoprotectant solution and plunged directly into liquid nitrogen, achieving cooling rates greater than 10,000 degrees C per minute. No controlled rate freezer is used. Vitrification warming requires a matched warming solution set used at 37 degrees C.

What storage equipment is required after cryopreservation?

After cryopreservation by either method, samples must be stored in a liquid nitrogen storage vessel at -195.8 degrees C. The storage system – vessel, cryocanes, canisters, goblets, and cryosleeves – must be compatible with the sample format used and maintained with documented liquid nitrogen levels and temperature monitoring.

Cryopreservation is not a single technique – it is a family of techniques with different equipment requirements, different outcome profiles, and different consumable specifications. Specifying the wrong consumable for the wrong method is one of the most common procurement errors in IVF laboratories.

Cryolab supplies controlled rate freezers, vitrification kits, and cryogenic storage for all cryopreservation methods. Browse at cryolab.co.uk/shop/.