When was the first pregnancy achieved in embryo freezing?

The first frozen embryo baby was born in 1984. With the embryo freezing technique, there is a chance to carry out a transfer several times (in vitro fertilization trial) from the eggs collected once for the couple, thus increasing the total pregnancy rate.

What are the advantages of embryo freezing?

In total, the couple's chances of conception increase. When the remaining good quality embryos are evaluated later, a chance for a more economical and less physically tiring treatment in a shorter time arises for the couple.

When the ovaries overreact in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (called severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome), the eggs can be collected and any resulting embryos can be frozen for later transfer.

Embryos can be frozen and transferred later when the endometrial thickness is insufficiently monitored during the cycle (an in vitro fertilization trial process), endometrial polyp is detected, or there is breakage bleeding close to transfer.

Embryo freezing may be recommended before cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

How are embryos frozen and thawed?

Embryos can be frozen at all developmental stages. Embryos are mixed with a protective liquid and placed in plastic tubes or glass ampoules and stored in a frozen state at -196 degrees in liquid nitrogen.

When frozen embryos are to be thawed, they are removed from liquid nitrogen, thawed at room temperature, separated from the protective liquid and placed in a special culture medium and placed in the incubator (devices in which the embryos are kept). Embryos that look good on the same day can be transferred.

How long can frozen embryos be stored?

Each country has legal regulations that bind it. Frozen embryos can be stored for a maximum of 5 years in Turkey. At the end of the fifth year, it is continued to be stored or destroyed with the permission of the couple.

What is the viability rate when frozen embryos are thawed?

It is not possible for all frozen embryos to have the same viability when thawed. However, this rate is 75-80% in a good freeze-thaw program. In other words, 7-8 out of 10 frozen embryos can be transferred when thawed. This is because embryos can be damaged during freezing and thawing processes. This damage is minimal in a technologically well-equipped IVF laboratory and under the supervision of experienced embryologists.

Can babies born from frozen embryos have a health problem?

According to the knowledge so far, the rate of congenital anomalies in babies born from the transfer of frozen-thawed embryos is not higher compared to others. As a result, frozen embryo applications are safe and economical for the patient.

Egg (Oocyte) freezing

Egg freezing (or also known as oocyte freezing) is the frozen storage of a woman's eggs. This is a treatment carried out for future reproductive use and is often used in the reproductive industry. This treatment allows women to store their eggs in a frozen state and then use them for embryo formation. This method can also be used for women who are not ready to reproduce, but are generally used for women with reproductive health problems.

Egg freezing can be done for a variety of reasons. Among them are the following:

• Reproductive health problems: Egg freezing can be done in cases where women's ability to ovulate decreases as a result of diseases in their ovaries or surgical interventions.
• Cancer treatment: During cancer treatment, treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy can cause damage to the ovaries. Therefore, egg freezing can be done before cancer treatment.
• Egg storage at an early age: Young women may freeze eggs due to their lack of readiness to reproduce in the future or due to reproductive health problems.
• Same-sex couples or single mothers: For same-sex couples or single mothers, egg freezing provides a source of eggs for future embryo formation.
• Special reasons: Personal reasons, such as not being ready to reproduce yet due to work or education

However, there is no need for a medical reason to freeze eggs, it can be done for possible situations that may change the person's preference or plans.

Egg freezing is usually the best age range for women between 20 and 40 years old. Within this age range, women's eggs are healthier and have a higher reproductive potential. However, there is no age limit for egg freezing and older women can also carry out egg freezing. However, the fertilization rate of frozen eggs may decrease as egg quality and reproductive potential decrease due to aging of the ovaries. Therefore, expectations regarding the use of frozen eggs should be low.

Sperm freezing

Sperm freezing allows men to store their sperm in a frozen state and then use it for embryo formation. This method can also be used for men who are not ready to reproduce, but are generally used for men with reproductive health problems. Some of the situations where sperm freezing is performed are as follows:

• Male infertility: Men with sperm-related health problems or who have undergone surgical intervention can freeze their sperms for future use.
• Cancer treatment: Treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy can affect sperm production in men, so sperm freezing can be done before treatment.
• Sperm storage at an early age: Young men may freeze sperms due to their lack of readiness to reproduce in the future or due to their reproductive health problems.
• Same-sex couples or single fathers: For same-sex couples or single fathers, sperm freezing provides a source of sperms for future embryo formation.
• Special reasons: Personal reasons, such as not being ready to reproduce yet due to work or education.

However, there is no need for a medical reason to freeze sperms, it can be done for possible situations that may change the person's preference or plans. In addition, sperm freezing is not a guarantee of future fertility, success rates may vary depending on sperm quality and quantity.