Cryo-cycle and cryopreservation of embryos
It’s often the case that, after the transfer of embryos into the uterine cavity in the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF), there are some unused embryos left. They can be preserved for a long time in liquid nitrogen under the temperature of -196°C with the help of cryopreservation, to be used in the future for another IVF.
Besides the embryos, this method may be used for freezing spermatozoa and oocytes. Embryos, female and male sex cells can be preserved in special containers – Dewar flasks – for decades with the help of special solutions without being exposed to a risk of damage. In the process of freezing, the cells are depleted of water, which is destructive for them when they are exposed to cryopreservation,. After the process of defrosting the embryos are ready for being transferred into the uterine cavity, and the sex cells are ready for being used in the IVF program.
Cryopreservation is performed in the following cases:
- if the man cannot come to the clinic to submit his sperm on the day of puncturing;
- if the spermogram indices are poor – in this case the repeated sperm cryopreservation allows to accumulate enough sperm to perform the IVF program;
- for the patients with oncological diseases – before chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as they lead to the loss of reproductive function.
Thus, in order to avoid the necessity of using donor sperm or oocytes in future, you can preserve your genetic material with the help of cryopreservation.
The cryopreservation of embryos is performed:
- for future attempts of undergoing the IVF procedure in case of lack of success or for the birth of another child;
- in the cases of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, when the transfer of embryos can worsen the woman’s state;
- if endometrium is not ready for the transfer of an embryo.
What is a cryo-cycle?
Cryo-cycle is an IVF cycle with the use of defrosted embryos. Its advantages are obvious: it is much more affordable than regular IVF and, which is by no means unimportant, it allows to decrease the level of hormonal pressure upon the female organism, because there is no need for additional follicle stimulation, puncturing and anesthesia in this case. It has been scientifically proven that the cryopreservation of an embryo doesn’t affect the health of a future child.
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