Cryopreservation
Semen Can be Stored for 10 years
Oocyte Can be Stored for 10 years
Embryo Can be Stored for 10 years
Robert Ettinger
Development of Concept of Cryonics
Cryopreservation is the maintenance of sperm, oocyte and embryo by freezing them at extremely low temperature for future use. It is typically associated with infertility programs. It enables sperm, oocyte and embryo to be kept in storage for a any number of years after which they can be thawed and may be used to conceive a child.
Semen Storage
The semen sample is collected by masturbation in a sterilized container in a designated ‘Semen Collection Room’ at the fertility centre(Semen Collection Room is mandatory at the fertility centre). Semen collection in centre is preferable but if you are not comfortable with that, semen can be collected at home and then transported to the hospital.
The sample is accessed and suitably processed in the lab and stored at a very low temperature in carefully labeled vials in liquid nitrogen.
The technique can help men to store their sperm for future use if–
- Undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which could result in a decrease or sometimes complete loss of sperm production.
- The man is going to be absent for a long time.
- The number of sperm present are extremely low.
- Prior to vasectomy.
- Unable to produce sample on demand due to psychological stress.
The frozen sperm sample is thawed and used for IUI, IVF or ICSI.
Legal Issues
- Husband is father of the child in all respects.
- Child conceived is fully legitimate.
- The frozen sample is to be exclusively used for donor`s wife.
- Use of semen after the death of husband is lawfully allowed, and the child so born will carry the name of father. The semen sample can be used if the prior consent of both partners is available with the centre.
- Semen can be preserved maximum for a period of 10 years.
Freezing of Oocyte
Oocyte freezing is under taken due to following indications:
- Woman undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which could impair fertility and sometimes complete loss of fertility.
- To delay child bearing.
- In case of POF (premature ovarian failure)
- Oocyte can be preserved maximum for a period of 10 years.
Freezing of Embryo
During IVF/ICSI programme the excess embryos are cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen at –196°C to be used for future cycles. About half of the embryos survive freezing. Possible advantages of cryopreservation of embryos include:
- Avoids the need of repeated stimulation of the woman without reducing the chance of commutative pregnancy.
- Dramatic cost reduction of future IVF/ICSI cycles.
- Possibly increasing pregnancy rates by replacing thawed embryos during subsequent ovulatory cycles or cycles in which the estrogen and progesterone hormone levels do not exceed that of natural levels.
- Can be stored to be used in future cycles in case of OHSS.
Legal Issues
- The embryo can be stored maximum for a period of 10 years.
- The child will be legitimate child of the couple.
- He/She will have identical legal rights.
- The birth certificate shall bear the names of the parents.
- Such embryos can either be used for the same couple or for research with the written consent of the couple or destroyed.
Important : We cannot be held liable for any problems that may occur during cryopreservation or storage, which could render the sperm/ oocyte/embryo non-viable.