Cryopreservation of Sheep Red Blood Cells

Abstract

The protection of sheep erythrocytes at freezing temperatures was investigated using glycerol, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), glucose and four different types of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as cryoprotective agents. Depending on type (molecular weight) and concentration good protection was obtained with PVP, whereas glycerol, DMSO and glucose were unsatisfactory. Recovery of cells after thawing was most successful when the cells had been frozen at a concentration of 1–2 × 10⁹ cells/ml. No cells tolerated freezing at −20 °G. Best results were obtained when the cells were frozen directly in liquid nitrogen (−196°G).

Sammendrag

Bevaring av røde saueblodlegemer etter nedfrysing med glycerol, dimetylsulfoxide (DMSO), glucose og polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) som kryoprotektive midler ble undersøkt. Avhengig av type (mole-kylvekt) og konsentrasjon ble god cellegjenvinning oppnådd etter nedfrysing med PVP, mens glycerol, DMSO og glucose var uegnete. Flest celler ble be vart når cellene ble frosset i en konsentrasjon av 1–2 × 10⁹ celler/ml. Ingen celler overlevet nedfrysing ved −20°C. Best resultat ble oppnådd ved nedfrysing direkte i flytende nitrogen (−196° C).