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Published on: August 5, 2011
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Embryo cryopreservation and utilization in the United States from 2004-2013
Mindy S Christianson1, Judy E Stern2, Fangbai Sun3
1Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Lutherville, Maryland.
F&S Reports
|July 5, 2021
Summary
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles with all embryos frozen significantly increased in the U.S. post-2010, potentially leading to more stored embryos. This trend impacts fertility treatment outcomes and resource allocation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Embryology
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Assisted reproductive technology (ART) involves cryopreservation of embryos.
- Understanding trends in embryo cryopreservation is crucial for managing fertility treatments.
- The practice of freezing all embryos in ART cycles has evolved over the past decade.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the quantity and utilization of cryopreserved embryos in U.S. ART clinics between 2004 and 2013.
- To identify trends in ART cycles where all created embryos were cryopreserved.
- To examine factors influencing embryo cryopreservation and storage.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of U.S. ART cycles.
- Utilized registry data from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) Clinical Outcomes Reporting System (2004-2013).
- Examined the number of cryopreserved embryos and factors associated with embryo cryopreservation.
Main Results:
- The percentage of fresh ART cycles with all embryos frozen surged from 15.6% in 2010 to 40.7% in 2013.
- Over 1.9 million embryos were cryopreserved, with over 717,000 transferred during the study period.
- Freeze-only cycles showed increased use of preimplantation genetic testing and a rise in women with diminished ovarian reserve.
Conclusions:
- A significant increase in U.S. ART cycles involving the cryopreservation of all embryos has been observed.
- This trend may lead to a substantial rise in the number of embryos stored in fertility clinics.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of widespread embryo cryopreservation.
