Vitrification is an advanced cryopreservation technique used in assisted reproductive treatments to freeze and store embryos, eggs, or sperm. The principle of this method is to rapidly freeze cells at extremely low temperatures, preventing the formation of ice crystals and preserving the integrity and viability of the cells.

How does Vitrification work?

1. Preparation: The embryos, eggs, or sperm are prepared and placed in a cryoprotectant solution to protect them during the freezing process.
2. Rapid Freezing: The prepared cells are rapidly cooled to extremely low temperatures, typically using liquid nitrogen. This quick freezing process prevents the formation of ice crystals, which can damage the cells.
3. Storage: The vitrified cells are then stored in specialized containers at ultra-low temperatures until they are needed for future use.

The success rate of thawing cells after vitrification is 95%. This method is slowly beginning to replace standard cryoconservation (slow programmable freezing). It also represents the only option for freezing oocytes (eggs).

Egg freezing, also known as social freezing, is an advanced technique used to preserve a woman’s fertility by freezing and storing her eggs for future use. This method is particularly suitable for women who wish to delay childbearing for personal or professional reasons, those undergoing oncological treatments that may affect fertility, those concerned about declining egg quality due to age, or those undergoing other medical treatments that could impact fertility. 

By preserving eggs at an optimal time, egg freezing provides the flexibility to conceive later in life when the time is right.

Sperm vitrification is an advanced technique used to preserve male fertility by freezing and storing sperm for future use. This method is particularly suitable for men who wish to delay fatherhood for personal or professional reasons, are undergoing oncological treatments that may affect fertility, are concerned about declining sperm quality due to age, or are receiving other medical treatments that could impact fertility. 

By preserving sperm at an optimal time, sperm vitrification provides the flexibility to conceive later in life when the time is right.

Embryo vitrification is an important part of assisted reproduction, helping to preserve surplus embryos from a given cycle that aren't immediately used for transfer. 

Only the best-developed embryos are chosen for freezing. We also use this method for patients who might be at higher risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, have insufficient uterine lining growth, face conditions that hinder embryo implantation, or are experiencing an acute illness that temporarily prevents pregnancy. 

This gentle approach ensures that your journey towards parenthood can continue when the time is right for you.

This method is particularly suitable for women and children who need to preserve their fertility and hormone production due to medical treatments, such as cancer therapies, that may affect ovarian function. 

How does Cryopreservation of Ovarian Tissue work?

1. Tissue Retrieval: The egg-producing tissue from the ovary is surgically removed, typically through a minimally invasive procedure.
2. Processing: The retrieved ovarian tissue is carefully processed in the laboratory to prepare it for freezing.
3. Vitrification: The tissue is rapidly frozen using a technique called vitrification, which prevents the formation of ice crystals and preserves the tissue's integrity and viability.
4. Storage: The vitrified ovarian tissue is stored in specialized containers at ultra-low temperatures until the patient has completed treatment and wishes to become pregnant or to resume normal hormone production.

Freezing tissue from the ovaries can provide a chance for future fertility and hormone production in children and adults undergoing treatment for cancer or other diseases that affect the ovaries. In one study, about 30% of people with formerly frozen ovarian tissue who had the thawed tissue reintroduced into the abdomen were able to give birth.