[Oocyte vitrification and its impact on the clinical practice of assisted reproduction]

Oocyte vitrification is a new technique in cryobiology that will lead to a number of improvements in assisted reproduction practices, oocyte donation and the preservation of female fertility. Professionals already versed in the techniques of micromanipulation will be able to master the new procedures, which should not be delegated to unqualified staff. When adopted by clinical units, oocyte vitrification will require changes in laboratory and administrative organization. The technique will also modify the ethical outlines of reproductive biology. France today is running behind in the application of this major development in cryobiology. The reasons are many and have to do with a long waiting period for authorization from national health authorities, a lack of material and human resources and a foreseeable shake-up in the nationally established egg donation program. However, recently a new law of bioethics has recognized the breakthrough that this new technique represents by allowing couples covered by the French national health care program for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) to choose oocyte vitrification as an option.