Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation of Gametes and Embryos

• Egg and ovarian tissue freezing

  Egg and ovarian tissue freezing are done for fertility preservation in women. Vitrification is the method of choice. These techniques are helpful in women with cancer, as chemotherapy and radiation treatment can often have a harmful effect on fertility.

  The latest vitrification technique is also offered for social reasons – women who want to postpone pregnancy for later on in life. Where indicated we use ICSI to ensure successful sperm penetration of the thawed egg.
  Whatever your reasons for undergoing egg freezing, it is important to understand every aspect of this technique and the issues surrounding it.

• Sperm freezing

  Males that have problems with producing samples, azoospermia, PESA/TESE, cancer patients before chemotherapy treatment and males with OATS syndrome (poor motility and very low counts can bank numerous samples to increase sperm concentration). Sperm is frozen in its natural state or in the case of OATS syndrome, sperm is washed and concentrated for freezing. Semen can be stored indefinitely. Patients can then be boarded on the programme.
  Sperm freezing is also done for the following conditions:

  HIV positive males (discordant couple)
  Vasectomy patients – patients undergoing vasectomy and who may wish to change their minds or enter new relationships in the future