Advances in assisted reproduction have transformed the way in which couples are able to fertility planning. One of the most significant developments is the cryopreservation of embryos, a technique that allows embryos to be frozen and stored for its future use. This process provides couples and women with the opportunity to preserve their fertility, facilitating greater flexibility in family flexibility in family planning and reducing the need for fertility preservation treatments. additional hormones in subsequent cycles. E n this article, we explore in depth what is embryo cryopreservation, its benefits, when it is its benefits, when it is recommended and what to expect from the thawing and transfer process. thawing and transfer process.
What is embryo cryopreservation?
Embryo cryopreservation is a process by which the embryos generated during an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle are frozen and stored for during an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle are frozen and stored to be used in the future. in the future. This process involves several key steps:
1.In vitro fertilization (IVF):
During an IVF treatment, the woman’s eggs are retrieved and fertilized in the egg cell. laboratory with the couple’s or a donor’s sperm. Once fertilized, the eggs are become embryos.
2.Embryo evaluation:
Not all embryos generated in an IVF cycle are transferred to the uterus. See the best quality embryos are selected for immediate transfer, while good quality surplus embryos can be cryopreserved for good quality surplus embryos can be cryopreserved for later use. posterior.
3.Vitrification (ultra-rapid freezing):
The embryos selected for cryopreservation are subjected to a process of vitrification. In contrast to traditional freezing, vitrification is a method that is that prevents the formation of ice crystals, which can damage the cracks in the cThe embryo’s cells. This process ensures a higher survival rate to the embryo. thaw the embryos.
4.Storage in liquid nitrogen:
The vitrified embryos are stored in tanks of liquid nitrogen at a temperature of temperature of –196ºC, which completely stops their development and allows them to remain viable for many years. remain viable for many years.
Advantages of embryo cryopreservation
Embryo cryopreservation offers multiple benefits both medically and emotionally for couples and women seeking fertility preservation. emotional benefits for couples and women seeking to preserve their fertility:
1. Flexibility in family planning:
Cryopreservation allows women and couples to plan when they want to have a baby. children. This aspect is especially useful for those who wish to space the birth of their children. of their children or for those who are not ready for childbearing at the time of IVF.
2. Reduction of additional hormonal treatments:
Once the embryos have been cryopreserved, it is not necessary to perform another cycle. ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval in future transfers. This reduces the physical and emotional impact of undergoing repeated hormone treatments.
3. Fertility preservation in oncology patients:
For women undergoing cancer treatments (such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy) that may affect their fertility, cryopreservation chemotherapy or radiotherapy) that may affect their fertility, embryo cryopreservation offers the possibility to preserve their reproductive embryo cryopreservation offers the possibility of preserving their reproductive before starting treatment.treatment.
4. High success rate in embryo thawing:
Thanks to advanced vitrification techniques, the survival rates of the vitrified thawed embryos are very high. This means that the embryos retain practically the same quality as before they were frozen, increasing the probability of chances of a successful pregnancy in the future. of a successful pregnancy in the future.
5. Economical and efficient solution:
Embryo cryopreservation is a more economical solution than undergoing multiple IVF cycles, as cryopreserved embryos can be multiple IVF cycles, as the cryopreserved embryos can be used in future attempts without having to future attempts without the need to repeat the entire process.
When is embryo cryopreservation recommended?
Embryo cryopreservation can be an ideal option in several situations:
1. Women who wish to delay childbearing:
Many women who are not yet ready to become mothers due to personal or professional reasons opt for cryopreservation to ensure that they will be able to have children. professional reasons opt for cryopreservation to ensure that they will be able to have biological children in the future, although in this case egg vitrification is recommended. in the future, although in this case egg vitrification is recommended.
2. Couples who wish to have more children in the future:
Couples who plan to have several children can benefit from embryo cryopreservation, as it allows them to use the leftover embryos from an IVF cycle without using embryo cryopreservation, as it allows them to use leftover embryos from an IVF cycle without the need to undergo egg retrieval again. need to undergo egg retrieval again.
3. Oncology patients:
For women who must undergo cancer treatment, cryopreservation is a way to ensure that they will be able to have biological children after the treatment. cryopreservation is a way to ensure that they will be able to have biological children after overcoming the the disease.
4. Couples with leftover embryos in an IVF cycle:
If during an IVF cycle more embryos are generated than necessary, cryopreservation allows to store them for future cryopreservation allows them to be stored for future pregnancy attempts without the need to repeat the need to repeat the entire IVF process, although in this case egg vitrification is recommended.
Frequently asked questions about embryo thawing and embryo transfer
1. How is the embryo thawing process?
Cryopreserved embryos are thawed through a controlled process that ensures their viability. Survival rates during thawing are very high because of the modern vitrification techniques.
What are the success rates of thawed embryo transfer?
The success rates of thawed embryo transfer are very similar to those of fresh embryo transfer, especially when the embryos have been vitrified. especially when the embryos have been vitrified and the embryos are frozen. adequately. This means that the chances of achieving an e The high.
How long can embryos be frozen?
According to Spanish legislation, embryos can remain frozen for the whole of the embryo’s life. reproductive period of the woman. In fact, there have been documented cases of embryos that have frozen for more than 10 years and have resulted in successful pregnancies.pregnancies.
What to expect during the transfer of thawed embryos?
The process of transferring thawed embryos is similar to that of fresh embryos. The patient receives a hormonal treatment to prepare the uterus, and the transfer is performed on an outpatient basis, using a very fine cannula to place the embryos in the uterus. transfer is performed on an outpatient basis, using a very fine cannula to place the embryos in the uterus.the embryos into the uterus.
Embryo cryopreservation is an advanced technique that offers women and couples the ability to possibility of preserving their fertility for the future. Whether to space births, delay births, delay for women who are facing cancer treatments, cryopreservation is ancologic treatments, cryopreservation
provides flexibility and peace of mind. With a high thawing success rate of embryos and a simple transfer process, this option is ideal for those who wish to plan their family in a controlled to plan their family in a controlled andand effective way.
