Abstract: The vitrification cryopreservation of oocytes is a hot topic of the assisted reproductive technology. The cryopreservation of immature oocytes is an effective method to save fertility with great application prospect. Cumulus cells are in direct contact with the oocyte through gap junctions. There are intense bidirectional communication and substance exchange between two kinds of cells. Currently, the important effects of cumulus cells in in vitro maturation of oocytes has been elaborated. However, there is no consensus about the action of cumulus cells in cryopreservation of human immature oocytes. With the development of vitrification technology, there was more and more researches on the salutary effects of cumulus cells on oocyte cryopreservation. Cumulus cells can slow down the penetration rate of cryoprotectant agents, so as to avoid the cell damage in oocytes of osmotic pressure，which improve the cell survival rate after freezing and fertilization rate. This review mainly summarizes the effects of cumulus cells on vitrification cryopreservation of human immature oocyte in order to provide reliable theoretical and experimental evidences for those patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy or delayed childbearing who quest fertility preservation with their immature oocytes.

Key words: Cumulus cells, Oocytes, Cryopreservation, Reproductive techniques, assisted, Immature oocytes, Fertility preservation