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Application of vitrification to human embryo freezing
H Saito1, G M Ishida, T Kaneko
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan. hsaitou@med.id.yamagata-u.ac.jp
Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation
|March 24, 2000
Summary
Vitrification, a method for cryopreserving human embryos, offers advantages in cost and time compared to traditional slow freezing. While it can affect embryo quality, successful pregnancies were achieved, making it a viable alternative for embryo freezing in in vitro fertilization.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Embryology
- Cryobiology
Background:
- Multiple pregnancies are a concern in in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- Cryopreservation of excess human embryos is necessary for future embryo transfer.
- Vitrification is a rapid cooling method for cryopreservation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the vitrification method for human embryo cryopreservation.
- To assess pregnancy rates following embryo transfer after vitrification and thawing.
- To compare vitrification with traditional slow embryo freezing methods.
Main Methods:
- Human embryos at the 8- to 16-cell stage were cryopreserved using vitrification.
- Embryos were thawed and transferred in menstrual cycles timed with LH surge or ovulation.
- Embryo quality post-thaw and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed in 31 cycles.
Main Results:
- Vitrification led to an increased rate of poor-quality embryos and a decreased rate of good-quality embryos post-thaw.
- Pregnancy rates were higher when good-quality embryos were transferred.
- Five pregnancies were established from 31 embryo transfers; four resulted from good-quality embryo transfers.
Conclusions:
- Vitrification is a time- and cost-effective alternative to slow embryo freezing for human embryo cryopreservation.
- Despite potential impacts on embryo quality, vitrification can lead to successful pregnancies.
- Vitrification presents a promising alternative method for clinical embryo freezing.