Liquid nitrogen tanks play an important role in assisted reproductive technology, especially in the cryopreservation of embryos and eggs. Here are some applications and steps of liquid nitrogen tanks in assisted reproduction:
Embryo cryopreservation
Collection and culture: During in vitro fertilization, embryos are cultured in the laboratory to a stage suitable for transfer. Usually, embryos are cryopreserved 3 or 5 days after fertilization.
Cryopreservation process: The embryos are placed in a cryoprotectant and then frozen using either a rapid freezing method (e.g., vitrification freezing) or a slow freezing method. These methods help to minimize damage to the embryo from ice crystals.
Storage: After freezing, the embryos are stored in liquid nitrogen tanks at very low temperatures for long periods of time. When transfer is required, the embryos are thawed and transferred into the mother's uterus.
Egg Cryopreservation
Collection and Freezing: Mature eggs collected by stimulating the ovaries during in vitro fertilization can be used immediately or frozen for preservation. Frozen eggs are treated with a cryoprotectant and then frozen.
Storage and Use: Frozen eggs are stored in liquid nitrogen tanks and when required for use, they can be thawed and combined with sperm for fertilization.
Safe Management of Assisted Reproductive Technology
Equipment and Operation: Liquid nitrogen tanks require regular maintenance and inspection to ensure proper functioning and safety. Operators need to be professionally trained to understand the characteristics of liquid nitrogen and the safe operation procedures.
Environmental control: Liquid nitrogen tanks should be placed in a well-ventilated area, away from sources of ignition and heat to prevent explosion or fire. Meanwhile, the temperature and liquid nitrogen storage capacity of the tank need to be monitored regularly to ensure the safety of the samples.
Use of Large Liquid Nitrogen Tanks
Storage Capacity: large liquid nitrogen tanks have a large storage capacity and can store a large number of embryo or egg samples. This is very important for assisted reproduction centers because of the large number of samples that need to be stored each year.
Long-term storage: The extremely low temperatures inside the liquid nitrogen tanks ensure that the embryos or eggs are stored for a long period of time, maintaining their biological activity and quality. This is crucial for assisted reproduction centers that require long-term sample storage.
In summary, liquid nitrogen tanks play a key role in assisted reproduction technology, ensuring the long-term preservation and quality of embryos and eggs by providing a low-temperature storage environment. At the same time, the use and management of liquid nitrogen tanks requires strict adherence to safety protocols to ensure the safety of samples and operators.
