Human Reproduction, Vol. 18, No. 1, 140-144,
January 2003
© 2003 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Safety of cryopreservation straws for human gametes or embryos: a study with human immunodeficiency virus-1 under cryopreservation conditions
1 Cecos, Hôpital Necker, 75015 Paris, 2 Centre de Fertilité, Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, 75014 Paris, 3 Department of Virology, Hôpital Bichat, 75018 Paris, 4 Department of Histo-embryology, Hôpital Bichat, 75018 Paris, 5 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hôpital Bichat, 75018 Paris and 6 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hôpital Rothschild, 75012 Paris, France 7 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Jean-Louis Benifla, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Hôpital Rothschild, 33 Bd de Picpus, 75012 Paris, France. e-mail: jl.benifla{at}rth.ap-hop-paris.fr
BACKGROUND: The possibility of assisted reproductive technology (ART) for couples carrying viruses, especially HIV-1, necessitates consideration of the safety of cryopreserving human gametes or embryos in liquid nitrogen tanks. Following our evaluation of the safety of three kinds of straws containing HIV-1 at 37°C, we have now examined the HIV-1 imperviousness of the same straws under cryopreservation conditions. METHODS: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) and high-security ionomeric resin (IR) straws (24 each) were tested. Each straw was filled with 100 µl of HIV-1-containing supernatant [reverse transcriptase (RT) activity: 15 000 c.p.m./50 µl]. Then PVC and PETG straws were sealed ultrasonically only at their free-end, and IR straws were thermosoldered at both ends. Each straw was put in a 15 ml Falcon tube which was capped and submerged in a liquid-nitrogen tank for 7 days. After bleach decontamination or not, the outside of each end of the straw was rinsed with RPMI medium (1 ml) before cryopreservation and after thawing. Viral RNA was extracted from the medium and then amplified by RT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by nested-PCR using HIV-1 protease-specific primers. RESULTS: HIV-1 RNA was detected in some PVC and PETG rinse media, probably resulting from splashing during ultrasonic sealing, but not in the rinse media of thermosoldered IR straws. CONCLUSION: Under cryopreservation conditions, IR straws would appear to be safe for HIV-1 storage in ART. For PVC and PETG straws, as highlighted in this study, the ultrasonic sealing could be the weak safety link.
Key words: assisted reproductive technology/cryopreservation/HIV-1/liquid nitrogen/straws
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