An embryo is formed in the early stage of development after fertilization or when the cells start to divide. These embryos can be preserved for future use through a procedure called embryo freezing. Apart from embryos, females can also freeze their unfertilized eggs. The first ever successful pregnancy from a healthy frozen embryo took place in the 1980s. After this many people came up with the idea of freezing up their embryos for later use. A person may decide to preserve an embryo for various reasons like for medical research, for training purposes, to donate to others, or if they desire to get pregnant in the future.
The process to freeze an embryo begins by stimulating the production of potentially fertile eggs by using various hormones and other kinds of medications. These fertile eggs are extracted from the ovaries either for fertilizing in the lab or for freezing. One healthy embryo can be produced after a successful fertilization and then this embryo is either transferred to the uterus or womb where the embryo will develop.
What is an embryo and how do people create one?
The medical community uses the term embryo from the moment when cells divide after fertilization until the eighth week of pregnancy. Before freezing, doctors and laboratories must harvest and fertilize some eggs.
In the beginning, people are administered hormones to make sure that ovulation occurs on schedule. They will take some additional medications to increase the number of eggs that they produce.
Doctors may use various techniques like in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for the person who wishes to freeze their eggs or wishes to use them at once to become pregnant.
During IVF eggs are exposed to sperms and are left in the laboratory for fertilization. For a period of six days, an embryologist will monitor the development of the embryo after which a suitable embryo is selected for implantation.
During ICSI a single sperm is directly injected into the egg. This technique is used when there is a problem with the sperm or if previous attempts at IVF have not resulted in fertilization.
How do people freeze embryos?
The main problem with freezing the embryo is the water inside the cell. During the process, this water freezes, and crystals can form which may burst the cell.
- Cryopreservation:
To prevent the cell from bursting, doctors replace the water in the cell with a substance called a cryoprotectant through the process popularly known as cryopreservation. Before freezing, the embryos are left to incubate in the increasing level of the cryoprotectant. After removing the maximum amount of water from the cell, the embryos are cooled down to their preservation state.
The two freezing methods generally used by doctors are:
- Slow freezing: In this process, the embryos are placed in sealed tubes and then the temperature is slowly lowered. This process inhibits the embryos cell from aging and also reduces the chances of it getting damaged.
- Vitrification: In this process, the cryoprotected embryos are frozen so quickly that the water molecules are not able to form crystals.
After the completion of the freezing process the embryos are stored in liquid nitrogen.
Success rate of thawing frozen embryos:
Various research has proven that women who use thawed embryos have a good chance of delivering healthy babies. It also shows that the process of thawing an embryo after cryopreservation has a moderately high success rate. As per recent studies, babies born after cryopreservation showed no increase in developmental abnormalities. Some studies also suggest that vitrification increases the chances of the survival of the embryo both during freezing and thawing.
Best Doctors
Dr. Vishwanath N. Shivanagutti and Dr. Sushma V. Shivanagutti are the esteemed founders of Aakanksh IVF Centre, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the field of infertility treatment. Dr. Vishwanath, with 15+ years of experience in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Dr. Sushma, with 15+ years of specialized experience in IVF and Gynecology, are dedicated to helping couples achieve their dream of parenthood. Their combined knowledge ensures comprehensive care through advanced treatments such as IVF, IUI, and ICSI, along with personalized support and innovative solutions for complex fertility issues. At Aakanksh IVF Centre, their commitment to excellence provides couples with the best possible chance of success in their journey towards becoming parents.
1. Dr. Vishwanath N. Shivanagutti
IVF Specialist Gynaecologist & Laparoscopic Surgeon
2. Dr. Sushma V. Shivanagutti
IVF Specialist & Consultant Gynaecologist