The Different Methods of Embryo Freezing

Embryo freezing is an option women can use in planning their pregnancy, and there are different methods of embryo freezing available.  It is necessary for certain procedures take place before eggs can be taken for embryo freezing; the woman must be in good physical health and there must not be any pre-existing health conditions.

Uterine Cavity Tests

  • The Hysterosonogram is a saline that is injected into the uterus and viewed with ultrasound. 
  • The HSG uses an x-ray dye that is injected into the uterus and then viewed by x-ray. 
  • The last test is a Hysteroscopy, in which a fiberoptic telescope is placed into the uterus and the cavity is viewed directly. 

Once it has been determined a woman has a normal uterine cavity, the chances for a successful frozen embryo transfer will be greater. Some methods for freezing embryos are:

Vitrification

This method of freezing helps protect the cell from avoiding ice crystal formation. The samples are placed directly into liquid nitrogen without first introducing the seed. The samples must be thawed in salt water.

Ultra-Rapid freezing

With this method, the samples are handled at room temperature before they go to the ice baths. Samples are quickly unfrozen in baths at 37 degrees Celsius for the removal of cryoprotectant.

Ooctyes

They are easily frozen if they possess a nucleus. A women going through radiation treatment, or may have to undergo ovarian loss, may benefit from stockpiling multiple oocytes before losing ovarian function with this technology.

Pre-Embryos

This is a convenient method of freezing because there is no time limit.  It has been reported that intact human pre-embryos exhibit higher implantation rates.

Blastocysts

This method of freezing has been of great interest in the last years.  Many groups have reported successful freezing and living births. One study shows 100 percent survival with frozen blastocyst.

There has been confusion on the ability of frozen embryos to produce pregnancy.  Embryo quality has an extreme effect on the chance for pregnancy. Pregnancy rates of a single embryo are going to be poorer then those seen with numerous embryo transfer.

It is up to you and your spouse or partner to decide if embryo storage is for you.  You may contemplate freezing your new embryos for the subsequent reasons. It offers you an alternative to use embryos in forthcoming IVF or ICSI cycles with no risks and costs of drugs and egg collection. You may also decide to bestow your unused embryos for the care of others or even for research.

Before the process of freezing your embryos happens, you will need to discuss all your options. The clinic will request for you to sign permission forms. Those forms will permit you to spell out how extended you want the embryos to be kept frozen. The typical period of storage is ten years. It is very important to make sure all questions and concerns are addressed before this type of procedure takes place.

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