Egg vitrification is a relatively new technique in assisted reproduction, first introduced in 2005. Prior to vitrification, eggs were frozen using a slow freezing process, which often resulted in low survival rates after thawing. Vitrification, however, has revolutionized fertility preservation, enabling eggs to survive the thawing process with high success rates, and achieving pregnancy rates similar to those of fresh eggs. This breakthrough has been one of the most significant advances in assisted reproduction in recent decades.
The Vitrification Process
When water freezes inside living cells, it can form crystals that damage the cells and compromise their survival upon thawing. Vitrification prevents crystal formation by solidifying the cell’s aqueous solution at an extremely fast rate. In the case of oocytes (eggs), they are frozen so rapidly that ice crystals do not form. The process also involves the use of cryoprotectants and immediate immersion in liquid nitrogen, allowing eggs to survive the vitrification and thawing process without damage.
Fertility Preservation
The success of vitrification has made fertility preservation safer and more reliable. Women facing medical treatments that could harm their future fertility, such as chemotherapy, can now vitrify their eggs to be used later. Additionally, many women are choosing to postpone motherhood until later in life when their ovarian reserve may have already declined. Once vitrified, eggs retain their quality, and their characteristics remain intact over time. For optimal fertility preservation, it is recommended to vitrify eggs before the age of 35, as female fertility tends to decline more significantly after that age.
Eggs can remain vitrified indefinitely, and research has shown that their survival rates and quality do not deteriorate over the years.
If you’re considering preserving your fertility or learning more about egg vitrification, feel free to contact us at Nicosia Fertility for more information!
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