Embryo Freezing

Embryo freezing or embryo cryopreservation is a technique that enables couples to store their embryos to be used later. Unlike egg freezing and sperm freezing, which involve the preservation of either male or female gametes, embryo freezing involves the retrieval of both, followed by inducing artificial fertilization and storing the resultant embryo. In vitro fertilization procedure has gained tremendous impetus in the past few years owing to its significantly high success rate. The eggs and sperm collected from the female and the male partner respectively are fertilized resulting in the production of several embryos, the most viable of which are used for the procedure. Since only 1 to 2 embryos are used for the procedure, the remaining can be stored for future use.

Medfemme offers the best facilities for preserving viable embryos using state of the art technology, thereby making sure that the quality of the embryo is not compromised. We offer a broad spectrum of assisted infertility procedures wherein the same can be utilized years later. If you wish to preserve your embryos for future use or require any assistance regarding the same, we are here to assist and guide you.

Who can opt for embryo freezing?

Embryo freezing can act as a backup if the IVF or ICSI procedure does not work out in the first go. It is also an option if:

• A couple wishes to save the embryos if either of the two is likely to undergo major surgery or treatment that might affect their fertility.
• A couple wishes to have a second baby in future.

Embryo freezing procedure:

The overall health and medical history of both the intended parents are assessed to make sure that they are eligible for the procedure. This is followed by the retrieval of the gametes and their fertilization, which can be done in 2 ways:

In vitro fertilization- A healthy ovum is placed in a pool of sperms so as to induce fertilization. The embryo, thus formed, are kept under keen observation for the next 6 days, following which the most viable ones are chosen for the procedure.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection- A healthy sperm is directly injected into the ovum so as to induce artificial fertilization. The resultant embryos are observed just as in case of in vitro fertilization and the best ones are selected.
Once the embryos are obtained, the most important step is to replace the water present in the embryo cell with a special liquid known as cryoprotectant. There are two different freezing techniques that are used for preserving embryos:

Slow freezing- The embryos are placed in sealed tubes and the temperature is lowered slowly so as to negate the risks of damage. The procedure, however, is quite time-consuming.

Vitrification- The procedure is significantly faster than slow freezing. The embryos are frozen very quickly without giving the water molecules any time to form crystals that may damage the embryo. The procedure is highly recommended as it enhances the survival rate of the embryo during thawing.

Various advantages of embryo freezing

• Embryo cryopreservation increases the chances of successful conception by providing the intended parents with additional cycle opportunities.
• Frozen embryo transfer is comparatively cheaper than fresh embryo transfer as these potentially lower the number of treatment cycles required to achieve pregnancy.
• Embryo cryopreservation helps to alleviate the risks imposed by the increased progesterone levels with advanced age. This can reduce the receptivity of the uterine lining thereby making it difficult to implant the embryo.