Vitrification of mammalian oocytes and embryos

Vitrification is a new approach to oocyte and embryo ciyoconservation. It consists in thesolidification of a solution caused by drastic increase in viscosity during cooling and not byciystalization. The application of this approach to ciyoconservation of oocytes and embryos ofdifferent species depends upon the development of proper procedures and non-toxic media. Fromthe technical point of view, the vitrification method is simple and relatively easily applicableunder field conditions. The authors review the current procedures applied to oocytes and embryosof laboratory and farm animals.