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Frozen Embryo Transfer

Embryo freezing is a well-established form of assisted conception treatment. The first frozen embryo baby was born in 1984. Embryo cryopreservation allows multiple embryo transfers from a single egg collection and improves the chances of livebirth.

Advantages of embryo cryopreservation

  • Approximately 50% of women may have spare embryos available for freezing.
  • Freezing all embryos for subsequent transfer may be advised for women who are at a high risk of developing severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
  • When embryo implantation may be compromised in cases such as the presence of endometrial polyps, poor endometrial development, break through bleeding near the time of embryo transfer or illness.
  • Difficulty encountered at fresh embryo transfer e.g. cervical stenosis (inability to pass through the cervical canal because the cervix is narrowed or scarred, etc).
  • Cryopreservation of embryos is very important for the egg donation programs. It is not always possible to synchronize the recipient’s cycle with that of the egg donor.
  • Frozen embryos have also become available for donation to infertile couples.
  • Before cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy

Embryos are mixed with a cryoprotectant fluid (to protect embryos from damage during freezing process). Then, the mixture is put either in a plastic straw or a glass ampoule and stored in liquid nitrogen at a very low temperature –196°C using a specialized programmable machine.

Thawing of embryo involves removing the embryos from the liquid nitrogen, thaw at room temperature, remove the cryoprotectant fluid and mix the embryo in a special culture media. The mixture is then kept in the incubator ready for transfer.

The Frozen embryo tranfer procedure is like fresh embryo transfer only.

Also Read:
Ovulation Induction
Intra-Utreine Insemination (IUI)
In-vitro Fertilization ( IVF/ Test tube baby)
Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Aspiration ( ICSI)
Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA) / Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA)
Egg Donation / Sperm Donation/ Embryo Donation
Frozen Embryo Transfer