Cryopreservation of sprem, oocytes, and embryos
Cryopreservation is a technique that is used to freeze eggs, embryos or sperm for further use in infertility treatments or cycles after thawing.
With the availability of frozen embryos eggs or sperm, a man or woman need not undergo stimulation by fertility drugs in order to have an embryo transfer during an infertility treatment cycle.
Why are surplus created?
Treatments such as IVF, ICSI, IUI often generate embryos that are in surplus and if they are of sufficiently good quality, they can be frozen and placed in storage for future use. During the standard course of infertility treatment, hormones are used to stimulate the development of multiple eggs. When these extra embryos are of sufficient quality, they may be cryopreserved so that they may be transferred for future date providing an additional embryo transfer without the inconvenience and expense of an additional IVF Cycle.
Sperm Freezing
- To store donated sperm.
- Couples who wish to due to undergo infertility treatment if the man finds it difficult to ejaculate on demand, which may result in their inability to produce a sample on the day of egg collection.
- To provide storage after sperm have been surgically removed.
- Before a vasectomy
- Prior to cancer treatment since it can compromise fertility
Egg/Oocyte Freezing
Egg freezing consists of freezing of viable eggs (oocytes) prior to fertilization. Stored eggs are then thawed and fertilized with sperm for the purpose of treatment at some date in future.
- You need treatment for cancer or another illness that can affect your ability to get pregnant.
- You wish to preserve younger eggs now for future use.
- Genetic mutations requiring removing the ovaries
- You have a condition or circumstance that can affect your fertility.
- You’re worried about your fertility declining but you’re not ready to have a child
Do you need to undergo any tests before storage of eggs, embryos or sperm?
- HIV
- Hepatitis B & C
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Because of regulatory requirements, special consent forms have to be completed before storage. You will be asked questions such as how long you wish to keep the material for, what you wish it must be used for and what you wish it to be come in case of any unforeseen event or death.