Figure 1

Effects of vitrification on chromatin integrity and mitochondrial distribution pattern of mouse 4/16-cell, morula and blastocyst stage embryos. Panel A: overall percentages of embryos (grade B + grade C) with damaged chromatin observed after vitrification (black bars), grouped according to their developmental stage, and compared with controls (white bars). In detail, in embryos at the morula stage, vitrification increased the rate of embryos showing chromatin damage whereas it had no effect in early embryos and in blastocysts. Chi square test: within each stage: a,b P<0.001; c,d P<0.05. Panel B:Percentages of embryos showing the P/P mt pattern observed after vitrification (black bars), grouped according to examined developmental stages, and compared with controls (white bars). In detail, in embryos at the 4/16-cell stage, vitrification reduced the rate of embryos showing P/P mt pattern whereas it had no effect in embryos at the morula and blastocyst stages. Chi square test: a,b P<0.001; c,d P<0.05; * P<0.001. Numbers of analyzed oocytes per group are indicated on the top of each histogram.