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Embryo freezing is a process of preserving embryo at sub-zero temperature for later use. A person can also freeze eggs which are not fertilized. An embryo is formed after fertilization after which the cells start to divide.
The embryos are then thawed and used later if needed. Embryo formation is an important step in IVF procedures. This process begins by using hormones and medication that stimulate the production of fertile eggs. Doctors then extract the eggs from the ovaries for freezing or fertilization.
The main reason why embryo freezing is done is -it can provide couples another chance to conceive if the IVF process didn’t work at the first time. Freezing of embryos lets you overcome the negative effect due to high progesterone level and also reduces the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and helps in maintaining the success levels.
One of the main concerns while freezing an embryo is the formation of ice in between the cells and these ice crystals can hurt the cell wall and harm the structure inside the cell. The embryo should be protected during the freezing process and this process is done using a special fluid called as Cryoprotective agent (CPAs), it is like an anti-freeze agent.
Embryo freezing and preservation is done in two ways: Vitrification and Slow Programmable Freezing
Vitrification: This process is also called as rapid freezing technique and uses high strength of CPA. In this method, the doctors first mix the CPA with the embryo and are immediately placed into liquid nitrogen. This process changes them into solid form, where the formation of ice is impossible.
In the Slow Freezing Method the embryos are frozen slowly. CPA is slowly added in increasing format over 10-20 minutes’. The embryos are then cooled slowly in a machine that lowers the temperature gradually once frozen, the embryos are stored in liquid nitrogen at -C.
The embryos are frozen from 1-6 days after they are made. Different cryoprotectants and freezing solutions and protocols are used for different stages of embryo development. Many IVF clinics freeze embryosat 8 cell, morula or blastocyst stage.
Sperm freezing is the process of collecting, analyzing and freezing of men’s sperm. These samples are later used for fertility treatment or donated to other couples. The overall process is called Cryopreservation and is also known as Sperm Banking. The collected sperms are stored in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196C that is used later for fertilization of an egg.