[Effect of cryopreservation on the morphology of blastocysts of the ferret Mustela eversmanni]. / Vliianie kriokonservatsii na morfologiiu blastotsist svetlogo khor'ka Mustela eversmanni.

ABSTRACT

In this study, we have undertaken an attempt to use the technique of cryopreservation of a mustelid embryo-sing Mustela eversmanni as the experimental model. Ferret blastocysts were frozen with glycerol or DMSO. Characteristic feature of blastocyst morphology, as well as changes in their ultrastructure after freezing and cryopreservation have been examined by techniques of light and electron microscopy. When glycerol was used, damage of ferret blastocysts induced by freezing was more significant than with DMSO as a cryoprotector. In all cases, structural alterations in inner cell mass after cryopreservation were much more significant than in the cells of the trophoblast. We discuss possible use of cryopreservation of embryos for the conservation of Mustelid species.