JBRA Assisted Reproduction 2025;29(Suppl.2 SBRA 2025):88
Poster Presentation
29^th Annual Congress of the SBRA. São Paulo/SP - Brazil, 2025
doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20263668

P-76. Efficacy of Dry Shipper containers in maintaining transportation temperature of cryopreserved samples and its correlation with duration of use

Tayssa Kruger Almeida¹, Ana Paula Kussler¹, Bianca Suzin¹, Letícia Schmidt Arruda¹

¹ Vida Fértil Banco de Sêmen Ltda - Porto Alegre - Rio Grande do Sul - Brasil

Objective: Dry Shipper containers are designed to safely transport and store cryopreserved biological samples, ensuring the preservation and protection of their integrity. This study aimed to evaluate their ability to maintain the optimal transportation temperature for cryopreserved semen samples in the absence of free liquid nitrogen and to assess how their performance changes over time.
Methods: Annual validation data were analyzed from seven Dry Shipper containers (MVE brand), including three SC4/2V units (numbers 1, 2, and 3; capacity 3.6 L) and four YDH-3 units (numbers 4, 5, 6, and 7; capacity 3.5 L). All containers were equipped with a calibrated data logger (Perceptec, model DHT1442) for continuous internal temperature monitoring. Each container was initially filled to maximum capacity with liquid nitrogen, refilled after two hours according to the manufacturer's specifications, and monitored daily for internal temperature and remaining liquid nitrogen height. The monitoring period began when the free liquid nitrogen level reached zero and ended when the internal temperature was ≤ −180 °C. Measurements were conducted at initial validation (EVALUATION 1: all containers), after 13–15 months (EVALUATION 2: containers 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7), and after 25–28 months (EVALUATION 3: containers 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6). All units were kept in a controlled environment, without movement.
Results: The mean time maintaining a temperature ≤ −180 °C without free liquid nitrogen was 10.7 days in the first evaluation, 9.2 days in the second, and 7.6 days in the third. Longitudinal analysis indicated an approximate decline of 1.55 days/year in thermal retention capacity, evidencing reduced performance over time.
Conclusion: Dry Shipper containers showed high effectiveness in preserving the optimal temperature (≤ −180 °C) for at least seven days after complete evaporation of free liquid nitrogen, ensuring safe transport even under adverse conditions such as accidental tipping. However, performance gradually decreased over time, underscoring the need for annual, container- specific validation to ensure transportation safety.