Cryopreservation of porcine urethral tissue: Storage at ?20°C preserves the mechanical, failure and geometrical properties

Cryopreservation is required to preserve the native properties of tissue for prolonged periods time. In this study, we evaluate impact that 4 different cryopreservation protocols have on porcine urethral tissue, identify a protocol best preserves tissue. The include storage in cryoprotective agents at ?20 °C and ?80 with slow, gradual, fast reduction temperature. To effects cryopreservation, mechanically characterised uniaxial tension mechanical properties, failure mechanics, dimensions are compared fresh following cryopreservation. response altered yet elastic modulus from high stress, linear region Cauchy stress – stretch curves unaffected by freezing process. further investigate change tensile values was evaluated, which revealed only does not significantly alter samples. Conversely, ultimate strength were relatively process, regardless protocol. However, there alterations samples stored °C. Therefore, any study intent preserving mechanical, failure, geometric during should do so °C, as shown here properties.