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Cryobank
Cryopreservation of embryos, eggs and sperm
In most ART cycles, superovulation is stimulated to mature a large number of eggs, therefore, as a rule, there are also a large number of embryos. Since usually no more than three embryos are transferred into the uterine cavity, many patients have "extra" embryos after the transfer.
These "extra" embryos can be cryopreserved (frozen) and stored for a long time in liquid nitrogen at -196. Subsequently, they can be thawed and used for the same patient if pregnancy does not occur during the IVF cycle, or if she wants to have more children after the birth of the child. Thus, she can go through the embryo transfer cycle again without being subjected to superovulation stimulation and ovarian puncture.
These "extra" embryos can be cryopreserved (frozen) and stored for a long time in liquid nitrogen at -196. Subsequently, they can be thawed and used for the same patient if pregnancy does not occur during the IVF cycle, or if she wants to have more children after the birth of the child. Thus, she can go through the embryo transfer cycle again without being subjected to superovulation stimulation and ovarian puncture.
Embryo cryopreservation is one of the well-established methods of assisted reproductive technologies. The first child after the transfer of a thawed embryo was born in 1984. Most IVF clinics practice cryopreservation of the embryos remaining after the IVF cycle for subsequent transfer to the uterus.
The chance of pregnancy after the transfer of thawed embryos is higher than when transferring fresh embryos, therefore, we strongly advise patients, especially those who have "extra" embryos, to carry out their cryopreservation using the latest method of rapid freezing (vitrification of embryos). The cryopreservation and transfer of thawed embryos is significantly cheaper than carrying out a new IVF cycle, and the presence of frozen embryos is a kind of "insurance" for patients in case pregnancy does not occur. However, since it makes sense to freeze only good—quality embryos, cryopreservation is a "bonus" that only about 50% of IVF patients receive.
The chance of pregnancy after the transfer of thawed embryos is higher than when transferring fresh embryos, therefore, we strongly advise patients, especially those who have "extra" embryos, to carry out their cryopreservation using the latest method of rapid freezing (vitrification of embryos). The cryopreservation and transfer of thawed embryos is significantly cheaper than carrying out a new IVF cycle, and the presence of frozen embryos is a kind of "insurance" for patients in case pregnancy does not occur. However, since it makes sense to freeze only good—quality embryos, cryopreservation is a "bonus" that only about 50% of IVF patients receive.
Approximately half of the embryos of good quality successfully survive the freeze-thaw cycle. The risk of developing congenital fetal pathologies does not increase with cryopreservation of embryos.
- It allows maximizing the chances of pregnancy after IVF and preventing the death of normal viable embryos remaining after the IVF cycle. This is the most important advantage of cryopreservation. About 50% of patients may have additional embryos for cryopreservation. The effectiveness of the transfer of thawed embryos is constantly growing, approaching the effectiveness of "fresh" IVF cycles.
- Cryopreservation of all embryos for future transfer to the uterus may be recommended for women who have an increased risk of developing severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome after superovulation induction in the IVF cycle.
- It is recommended in cases where the probability of embryo implantation is reduced, for example, in the presence of an endometrial polyp, insufficient endometrial thickness at the time of embryo transfer, dysfunctional bleeding during this period, or illness.
- In case of difficulties with embryo transfer during the IVF cycle, for example, cervical canal stenosis (inability to pass through the cervical canal due to narrowing of the canal, the presence of scars in it, etc.)
- , embryo cryopreservation may be included in the egg donation cycle if for some reason it is difficult to synchronize the menstrual cycles of the donor and recipient.
- After the IVF cycle has ended with the birth of a child, and if the couple no longer wants to have children, frozen embryos can be donated to another infertile couple.
- Before undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer.
Advantages of embryo cryopreservation
How long can frozen embryos be stored?
Frozen embryos can be stored for as long as it takes, even for several decades. When they are stored in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196 ° C, all the metabolic activity of cells stops at such a low temperature.
It is very important that patients keep in touch with the clinic regarding the fate of the embryos stored there. At the end of each paid storage period, patients should inform the clinic about how they would like to further manage the fate of the stored embryos:
- Continue storage of cryopreserved embryos
- Transfer cryoembryons to the uterus before the end of the paid storage period
- Dispose of stored embryos
Transportation of embryos from one clinic to another
Spouses have the right to transfer their embryos from one clinic to another.
In order to transport the embryos, patients must sign an informed consent for the release of the embryos stored in the clinic. The embryos are transported in a small container with liquid nitrogen. All responsibility for the embryos after they are released from the clinic lies with the patients.
In order to transport the embryos, patients must sign an informed consent for the release of the embryos stored in the clinic. The embryos are transported in a small container with liquid nitrogen. All responsibility for the embryos after they are released from the clinic lies with the patients.
In a clinic with a well-established cryopreservation (vitrification) program, the percentage of embryo survival after thawing is not lower than 98%. Damage to embryos can occur during their freezing or thawing, but not during embryo storage. As a rule, no more than one embryo of good quality at the blastocyst stage is thawed and transferred into the uterine cavity.
What is the percentage of embryo survival after freezing and thawing?
Cryopreservation of eggs by vitrification method
While embryos are relatively easy to cryopreservate and then store in liquid nitrogen, eggs have not been successfully frozen for a long time without damaging them. Only very recently, the technology of cryopreservation of eggs by ultrafast freezing (vitrification) has been developed. Vitrification technology has been mastered and successfully implemented at the VitroMed Clinic.
Cryopreservation of sperm
At the VitroMed Clinic, it is possible to freeze spermatozoa using the latest vitrification method for their subsequent use in infertility treatment programs using assisted reproductive technology.
Cryopreservation of sperm is performed for various indications: for insemination with the sperm of a husband or donor, for IVF with the sperm of a husband or donor, for storage before an upcoming operation, after which a sharp decrease in male fertility is possible.
Before cryopreservation, sperm counts must be checked. If the characteristics are good, the ejaculate is condensed to increase the concentration of spermatozoa, treated in a special way and placed in a special container. This is a small-diameter plastic tube with a specific marking to prevent errors in further use. The tube is placed in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196. In this state, sperm can be stored for years without losing its properties.
Cryopreservation of sperm is also used to increase the number of motile and normal spermatozoa, when it comes to oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia. In this case, the man donates several portions of sperm. Each ejaculate is then processed as described above and stored until application. After defrosting, additional sperm processing is carried out, its further condensation, separation, etc. As a result, even low-quality sperm counts can rise to almost normal/acceptable levels. Of course, this increases the chances of conception, both with insemination and IVF.
Before cryopreservation, sperm counts must be checked. If the characteristics are good, the ejaculate is condensed to increase the concentration of spermatozoa, treated in a special way and placed in a special container. This is a small-diameter plastic tube with a specific marking to prevent errors in further use. The tube is placed in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196. In this state, sperm can be stored for years without losing its properties.
Cryopreservation of sperm is also used to increase the number of motile and normal spermatozoa, when it comes to oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia. In this case, the man donates several portions of sperm. Each ejaculate is then processed as described above and stored until application. After defrosting, additional sperm processing is carried out, its further condensation, separation, etc. As a result, even low-quality sperm counts can rise to almost normal/acceptable levels. Of course, this increases the chances of conception, both with insemination and IVF.
In practical terms, there is sometimes a need for cryopreservation of sperm in cases where a man cannot be present at the clinic on the day of his wife's follicle puncture or artificial insemination with her husband's sperm. In this case, cryopreservation of sperm does not reduce the chances of conception and is quite feasible organizationally.
Thus, cryopreservation of sperm can not only increase the chances of conception, but also save money due to an increased chance of fertilization.
The VitroMed Clinic provides long-term storage of frozen sperm due to possible damage to the male reproductive system (surgery, radiation, service in hot spots, extreme lifestyle, etc.).
Thus, cryopreservation of sperm can not only increase the chances of conception, but also save money due to an increased chance of fertilization.
The VitroMed Clinic provides long-term storage of frozen sperm due to possible damage to the male reproductive system (surgery, radiation, service in hot spots, extreme lifestyle, etc.).
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Contacts
Address: 10/2 Hayasi str., Yerevan, 0082, Republic of Armenia
Tel.: +374 98-976-595
Email: vitromedsurrogacyclinic@gmail.com
Tel.: +374 98-976-595
Email: vitromedsurrogacyclinic@gmail.com
