Cryopreservation of Gametes - Embryo
Steps Involved in IVF:
Procedure Description:
Cryopreservation of gametes and embryos is a highly specialized procedure that preserves reproductive cells and embryos at sub-zero temperatures for future use. This advanced process is a cornerstone of reproductive medicine, supporting individuals and couples in preserving fertility for various personal or medical reasons. The process involves collecting eggs or sperm, fertilizing them if needed, and storing them in liquid nitrogen to maintain their viability for extended periods.
The process starts with the collection of gametes. For women, this involves hormonal stimulation to produce multiple mature eggs, followed by egg retrieval through a minor surgical procedure. For men, sperm collection is typically non-invasive. Once the eggs and sperm are collected, fertilization can be done in vitro to create embryos. Both gametes and embryos are then cryopreserved using either slow freezing or vitrification methods. Vitrification, the more modern approach, prevents ice crystal formation by rapid cooling, minimizing cell damage.
Once cryopreserved, the gametes or embryos are stored in secure, liquid nitrogen tanks at temperatures below -196°C. This storage maintains the genetic integrity of the reproductive material, allowing it to be thawed and used in future reproductive treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Advances in cryopreservation techniques have significantly increased the success rates of thawing and using stored reproductive material, offering individuals greater control over their reproductive timelines.
Procedure Duration:
The entire process of cryopreserving gametes or embryos typically spans several weeks. For women, ovarian stimulation can last between 10 to 14 days, during which they receive daily hormone injections and undergo regular monitoring to ensure optimal follicle development. Egg retrieval is a short, outpatient procedure lasting about 30 minutes, followed by a few hours of observation for recovery.
If embryos are being created, the fertilization process usually takes an additional three to five days to form viable embryos. Once the embryos reach the blastocyst stage, they can be cryopreserved. The actual cryopreservation process, including vitrification, takes a matter of minutes once the reproductive material is prepared. For sperm, the procedure is quicker, typically taking just a few hours from collection to cryopreservation.
Recovery from the egg retrieval procedure is minimal, with most women resuming normal activities within a day or two. However, the entire journey, from initial consultations and hormone treatments to the cryopreservation of embryos or gametes, may take about two to four weeks. Long-term storage is indefinite, with preserved reproductive material remaining viable for years or even decades, depending on the individual’s needs and the storage facility’s standards.
Benefits:
- Fertility Preservation: Allows individuals to plan for future family-building, preserving fertility before medical treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.
- Extended Reproductive Window: Helps delay childbearing without the biological limitations associated with aging.
- High Success Rates: Advances in vitrification have increased the success rates of viable embryo and gamete recovery.
- Flexible Family Planning: Enables couples and individuals to have children when it best fits their life circumstances.
- Support for Medical Treatments: Vital for those undergoing treatments or procedures that could affect fertility, ensuring reproductive options remain available.
Potential Destinations:
- Spain: Known for its cutting-edge reproductive technology and high success rates, Spain is a top choice for cryopreservation. The country offers highly regulated, advanced fertility clinics with expert teams.
- United States: The U.S. boasts some of the most advanced reproductive medicine facilities in the world, with extensive experience in cryopreservation and IVF procedures. Patients benefit from state-of-the-art technology and robust safety protocols.
- Greece: With a reputation for excellence in fertility treatments and favorable laws for international patients, Greece is a popular destination. Clinics offer personalized treatment plans and use advanced cryopreservation techniques.
- Czech Republic: The Czech Republic is renowned for affordable yet high-quality fertility services. The country’s fertility centers are known for their skilled specialists and comprehensive care.
- India: India’s growing medical tourism industry includes world-class fertility centers that offer cryopreservation at competitive prices. The country is known for its skilled medical professionals and modern facilities.
Risks & Considerations:
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): Women undergoing hormonal stimulation may experience OHSS, a potentially serious condition.
- Procedure Costs: The financial aspect of cryopreservation can be significant, especially in countries with advanced medical infrastructure.
- Success Rates Vary: The success of future fertilization depends on the quality of the preserved material and individual factors.
- Long-term Storage Concerns: While storage can be indefinite, there are considerations around the handling and transfer of stored gametes or embryos over time.
- Emotional and Psychological Impact: The process of fertility preservation and future IVF treatments can be emotionally challenging, requiring support and counseling.
How to Choose the Right Doctor and Hospital:
When selecting a doctor and hospital for cryopreservation, prioritize experience and expertise in reproductive medicine. Look for clinics that have a proven track record with high success rates and use the latest cryopreservation techniques, such as vitrification.
Ensure that the facility adheres to strict safety and quality standards, including proper certification and transparent handling protocols for long-term storage. Additionally, reading patient reviews and testimonials can provide insight into the quality of care and overall patient satisfaction.
To receive a free quote for this procedure please click on the link: https://www.medicaltourism.com/get-a-quote
Patients are advised to seek hospitals that are accredited by Global Healthcare and only work with medical tourism facilitators who are certified by Global Healthcare Accreditation or who have undergone certification from the Certified Medical Travel Professionals (CMTP). This ensures that the highest standards in the industry are met. GHA accredits the top hospitals in the world. These are the best hospitals in the world for quality and providing the best patient experience. Click the link to check out hospitals accredited by the Global Healthcare Accreditation: https://www.globalhealthcareaccreditation.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What actually happens during hyperstimulation of the ovaries?
The patient will take injectable FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) for eight to eleven days, depending on how long the follicles take to mature. This hormone is produced naturally in a woman’s body causing one egg to develop per cycle. Taking the injectable FSH causes several follicles to develop at once, at approximately the same rate. The development is monitored with vaginal ultrasounds and following the patient’s levels of estradiol and progesterone. FSH brand names include Repronex, Follistim, Menopur, Gonal-F and Bravelle. The patient injects herself daily.
What happens during egg retrieval?
When the follicles have developed enough to be harvested, the patient attends an appointment where she is anesthetized and prepared for the procedure. Next, the doctor uses an ultrasound probe to guide a needle through the vaginal wall and into the follicle of the ovary. The thin needle draws the follicle fluid, which is then examined by an embryologist to find the eggs. The whole process takes about 20 minutes.
What happens to the eggs?
In the next step, the harvested eggs are then fertilized. If the sperm from the potential father, or in some cases, anonymous donor, has normal functionality, the eggs and sperm are placed together in a dish with a nutrient fluid, then incubated overnight to fertilize normally. If the sperm functionality is suboptimal, an embryologist uses Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection to inject a single sperm into a single egg with an extremely precise glass needle. Once fertilization is complete, the embryos are assessed and prepared to be transferred to the patient’s uterus.
How are the embryos transferred back to the uterus?
The doctor and the patient will discuss the number of embryos to be transferred. The number of successfully fertilized eggs usually determines the number of eggs to be placed in the uterus. Embryos are transferred to the uterus with transabdominal ultrasound guidance. This process does not require anesthesia, but it can cause minor cervical or uterine discomfort. Following transfer, the patient is advised to take at least one days bed rest and two or three additional days of rest, then 10 to 12 days later, two pregnancy tests are scheduled to confirm success. Once two positive tests are completed, an obstetrical ultrasound is ordered to show the sac, fetal pole, yolk sac and fetal heart rate.
Embryoscope©
Built into this technology there is a microscope with a powerful camera that allows the uninterrupted monitoring of the embryo during its first hours of life. In this way, we can keep a close eye on the embryo, from the moment when the oocyte is inseminated and begins to divide into smaller and smaller cells, until it can be transferred to the uterus.
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