Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Producing gametes
- 3 Sperm–oocyte interaction
- 4 First stages of development
- 5 Endocrine control of reproduction
- 6 Assisted reproductive technology in farm animals
- 7 The clinical in vitro fertilization laboratory
- 8 Semen analysis and preparation for assisted reproductive techniques
- 9 Oocyte retrieval and embryo culture
- 10 Cryopreservation
- 11 Micromanipulation techniques
- 12 Preimplantation genetic diagnosis
- Index
10 - Cryopreservation
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 August 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Producing gametes
- 3 Sperm–oocyte interaction
- 4 First stages of development
- 5 Endocrine control of reproduction
- 6 Assisted reproductive technology in farm animals
- 7 The clinical in vitro fertilization laboratory
- 8 Semen analysis and preparation for assisted reproductive techniques
- 9 Oocyte retrieval and embryo culture
- 10 Cryopreservation
- 11 Micromanipulation techniques
- 12 Preimplantation genetic diagnosis
- Index
Summary
Benefits and concerns of an embryo cryopreservation programme
Following fresh embryo transfer in a stimulated IVF cycle, supernumerary embryos suitable for cryopreservation are available in a large number of cycles. In a routine IVF practice, 60% of stimulated in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles may yield surplus embryos suitable for cryopreservation. Successful cryopreservation of zygotes and embryos has greatly enhanced the clinical benefits and cumulative conception rate possible for a couple following a single cycle of ovarian stimulation and IVF. Other clear benefits include the possibility of avoiding fresh embryo transfer in stimulated cycles with a potential for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, or in which factors that may jeopardize implantation are apparent (e.g. bleeding, unfavourable endometrium, polyps or extremely difficult embryo transfer).
However, a unit that offers embryo cryopreservation must also be aware of logistic, legal, moral and ethical problems which can arise, and ensure that all patients are fully informed and counselled. Both partners must sign comprehensive consent forms which indicate how long the embryos are to be stored, and define legal ownership in case of divorce or separation, death of one of the partners, or loss of contact between the Unit and the couple. At Bourn Hall Clinic, all couples with cryopreserved embryos in storage are contacted annually, and asked to return a signed form indicating whether they wish to
Continue storage
Return for frozen embryo transfer
Donate their embryos for research projects approved by the independent Ethics Committee and the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA)
Donate their embryos for ‘adoption’ by another infertile couple
Have the embryos thawed and disposed of.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- In Vitro Fertilization , pp. 192 - 227Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2000
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