Cryopreservation of oocytes
What is cryopreservation of oocytes?
Cryopreservation of oocytes, also known as egg freezing, is a procedure during which the eggs of a woman (oocytes) are collected, frozen and stored in order to be used in a future IVF cycle. It has been used since the late 1980s, with the first human birth from a froze egg being completed in 1986. Since then, it has seen an exponential rise in cases of use, with reasons varying from infertility issues to cancer patients that want to keep oocytes of high-quality post-chemotherapy. In general, egg freezing is a form of preserving oocyte quality, and protecting the genetic material from deterioration.
Who can benefit from this procedure?
Oocyte cryopreservation was originally used as a measure of fertility preservation for female patients about to undergo gonadotoxic treatment. Using this procedure, they could freeze their eggs and preserve their quality, making for a higher chance of pregnancy in the future. Seeing the results of egg freezing, doctors will now recommend it to patients seeking fertility preservation. In general, cryopreservation of oocytes will benefit people of the following groups:
- Women about to undergo surgery that may damage their ovaries.
- Patients suffering from an ovarian disease that risks damage to the ovaries.
- People exhibiting chromosomal abnormalities that may increase the risk of premature ovarian failure.
- Women with a family history of early menopause.
- Women who wish to delay their pregnancy for personal reasons, unrelated to their medical history.
Cryopreservation of oocytes: Procedure
Should a woman start considering egg cryopreservation, the first step she will need to complete is a consultation appointment with her infertility specialist. This is done in order to ensure that the egg freezing procedure is indeed the right way for her to preserve fertility. The doctor will perform various tests and assessments and inform the patient of the results and possible things to consider.
After the initial appointment, the doctor will begin the cryopreservation procedure. Typically, this aligns with the first steps of any IVF treatment: ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, egg process. Those can be analyzed in greater detail as follows:
- Ovarian stimulation: At the beginning of the egg freezing procedure, the doctor will perform a transvaginal ultrasound in order to determine whether the quantity of oocytes and the ovarian function are suitable. They will then administer medication for ovarian stimulation. This will last around 9-12 days, and will serve in order to retrieve as many oocytes as possible.
- Egg retrieval: After the stimulation of the ovaries is completed, the doctor will collect the matured eggs through a transvaginal ultrasound. They will use a specific needle aspiration and suction in order to harvest the eggs from their follicles. The patient will receive IV sedation. Egg retrieval usually lasts around 30-45 minutes.
- Egg process: After the eggs are retrieved, an embryologist will transport them to the laboratory. There, the oocytes will be prepared for the vitrification process, where the temperature will be lowered. The eggs are then kept in special tanks, until the patient is ready to use them
How will the eggs be used in the future?
When the woman is ready to use the material, the cryopreserved oocytes are thawed. The doctor will place them in warming solutions and assess them, in order to determine the number that survived the freezing process. The warmed oocytes are then fertilized with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). After fertilization, the now embryos are ready to be placed into the uterus.
Parenthood is a beautiful, life-changing journey that every person deserves to embark on. We at Gyn Care IVF are here to assist and accompany you on every step of this journey. With state-of-the-art facilities, renowned medical professionals and a passion for making your wishes come true, Gyn Care IVF ensures an affordable, but qualitative experience. Gain all necessary information about IVF in Greece by contacting us via WhatsApp or E-Mail and enjoy your stay!
