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Updated: Feb 17, 2026
08:46
Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives
Published on: September 16, 2021
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No. 356-Egg Freezing for Age-Related Fertility Decline
Julio Saumet1, Angel Petropanagos2, Karen Buzaglo3
1ART Center, CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital, Montréal, QC.
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal D'Obstetrique Et Gynecologie Du Canada : JOGC
|December 11, 2017
Summary
This review provides evidence-based recommendations for social egg freezing in Canada. It details outcomes, risks, and counselling essentials for fertility centers to optimize patient care and results.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Technologies
Background:
- Social egg freezing, or elective oocyte cryopreservation, is increasingly utilized by women delaying childbearing.
- Canadian fertility centers require evidence-based guidelines to standardize care for social egg freezing services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive review of current literature on social egg freezing.
- To develop evidence-based recommendations for Canadian fertility centers offering elective oocyte cryopreservation.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published literature including systematic reviews, RCTs, CCTs, and observational studies.
- Searches of MEDLINE and CINAHL using keywords: oocyte cryopreservation, egg freezing, egg vitrification, social egg freezing, elective egg freezing.
- Inclusion of expert opinion for aspects not rigorously studied.
Main Results:
- Evaluated thawed oocyte survival, fertilization, embryo quality, pregnancy, and live birth rates.
- Analyzed the impact of patient age, ovarian reserve, and cryopreserved egg number on outcomes.
- Discussed risks, alternatives, counselling, informed consent, and future data reporting.
Conclusions:
- Guidelines aim to assist clinicians in developing optimal counselling approaches for egg freezing.
- Minimizing harm and improving patient outcomes are key objectives.
- Recommendations were reviewed and approved by CFAS and SOGC committees.
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