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IVF Program

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Embryo/Gamete Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation (freezing) of embryos is offered when the number of viable embryos produced during an IVF cycle exceeds the number of embryos that are transferred fresh into the uterus on either Day 3 or Day 5. At the Texas Fertility Center and Austin IVF, we freeze embryos on either Day 5 or Day 6, based on when they reach particular developmental milestones. We are currently freezing at least one embryo on approximately half of our patients. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of being able to freeze embryos include: the woman’s age, under 35 is most favorable, a normal semen analysis, the retrieval of at least 10 mature oocytes, and/or the use of donor oocytes. Cryopreserved embryos can be subsequently thawed and placed into the uterine cavity even after many years of being frozen. In fact, at Austin IVF, we have a patient who successfully delivered a healthy child following the transfer of embryos that had been frozen by us more than 9 years earlier. Frozen embryo transfer affords couples a legitimate chance for pregnancy at a fraction of the cost of a fresh IVF cycle, while also allowing them to avoid repeating the entire stimulation and egg retrieval process for future attempts. Many large-scale studies have confirmed both the safety and efficacy of frozen embryo transfer, and we believe that it is a valuable adjunct to the success of our program.

* Similar to embryos, sperm can also be frozen for potential future use. Although we do not routinely recommend sperm cryopreservation, we do strongly recommend it for men with cancer or other chronic diseases that necessitate either chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

* Oocyte cryopreservation is a much newer technology than either embryo or sperm cryopreservation. In order to assess the scientific validity of the newer techniques for oocyte cryopreservation, we are participating in a prospective, multi-center experimental trial that began in 2006. This trial is approved by our Institutional Review Board (IRB) as safe and appropriate for human subjects, and we are hopeful that this groundbreaking research will allow us to rigorously evaluate this potentially very exciting technology.