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Updated: May 29, 2026
08:46
Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives
Published on: September 16, 2021
Expanding reproductive lifespan: a cost-effectiveness study on oocyte freezing
L L van Loendersloot1, L M Moolenaar, B W J Mol
1Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Medical Centre, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. l.l.vanloendersloot@amc.uva.nl
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|September 8, 2011
Summary
Oocyte freezing offers a cost-effective solution for women postponing childbirth. It provides better value for money than in vitro fertilization (IVF) if collection rates are high and willingness to pay extra exists.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Health Economics
- Decision Analysis
Background:
- Increasing maternal age at first birth is a significant reproductive health concern.
- Age-related fertility decline is not adequately addressed by standard in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- Oocyte cryopreservation (egg freezing) presents a potential strategy to mitigate age-related fertility loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of oocyte freezing for women aged 35 wishing to delay pregnancy until age 40.
- To compare oocyte freezing with natural conception and standard IVF treatment at age 40.
Main Methods:
- A Markov model was employed to simulate three distinct reproductive strategies.
- The model assessed outcomes for 35-year-old women considering oocyte freezing versus immediate conception attempts or IVF at 40.
- Sensitivity analyses were performed to test model assumptions and identify key influential factors.
Main Results:
- Oocyte freezing yielded an 84.5% live birth rate at an average cost of €10,419.
- Natural conception resulted in a 52.3% live birth rate at €310 per birth.
- Standard IVF achieved a 64.6% live birth rate at an average cost of €7798, with oocyte freezing costing €13,156 per additional live birth compared to IVF.
Conclusions:
- Oocyte freezing is more cost-effective than IVF if at least 61% of women retrieve their eggs and a willingness to pay an additional €19,560 per live birth exists.
- The Markov model indicates that oocyte freezing offers superior value for money compared to IVF, given the study's assumptions.
- This strategy supports reproductive autonomy and addresses age-related fertility decline effectively.
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