Vitrification is a newer method for freezing eggs. Vitrification requires an addition of cryoprotectants before cooling. The cryprotectant acts like antifreeze to decrease the freezing temperature and increase viscosity, so the embryo freezes like a “solid liquid,” and looks like glass. Recent studies have found that vitrification of eggs significantly improves the chances of survival after thawing, and increases pregnancy rates. Vitrification provides the benefits of freezing without damage due to ice crystal formation, which is a potential danger when slow freezing.
Recent studies have found that vitrification of eggs significantly improves the chances of survival. Currently there is no limit on how long frozen eggs can be stored.
Egg freezing is an option to preserve fertility, and can also be done before initiation of radiation or chemotherapy for cancer treatment.
Embryo Freezing
Embryo cryopreservation (freezing) may be utilized for remaining embryos of good quality after a cycle of IVF. Frozen embryos can be used to achieve pregnancy at a future time without having to go through a full IVF cycle. A frozen embryo transfer (FET) is the process of thawing stored embryos and transferring them into the patient. The main technique used in our program is vitrification.