Sperm and embryos may be successfully thawed many years after freezing, but oocytes (eggs) alone have posed a problem.  Much research has been done, both on freezing eggs alone, and freezing portions of ovarian tissue.  As yet, these procedures are still in the research phase.

Embryo freezing allows couples undergoing a high tech procedure to freeze any extra embryos for future attempts, thus decreasing the costs, and surgical risks of subsequent attempts.  This technique also allows couples that have been unable to produce their own embryos to "adopt" any unwanted embryos for implantation.  As with donor sperm or donor eggs, the process is completely anonymous, and all parties are screened for genetic disorders and disease conditions.

Women facing the prospect of chemotherapy that may damage ovarian tissue or cause menopause, may choose to cryopreserve embryos and bank them for future use.  Women that are menopausal may use donor eggs or embryos to achieve pregnancy.

Please contact Sharon Taylor, COGNP, for more information on embryos available for use.

For more information on cryopreservation of sperm or embryos, or to transfer specimens to ACFS, please contact Denise Guerra, Laboratory Manager.