Gamete and Embryo Cryopreservation

doi:10.1017/9781316488294.022

Chapter 22 - Gamete and Embryo Cryopreservation

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 June 2019

Rachel Cutting

Edited by

Jane A. Stewart

Show author details

Jane A. Stewart: Affiliation:
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Book contents

Get access

Summary

Cryopreservation is a fundamental adjunct for any in vitro fertilisation (IVF) programme for both gametes and embryos. Sperm can be frozen for use in donor cycles, treatment cycles or to preserve fertility. After the first successful frozen-thawed embryo live birth was reported in 1983, embryo cryopreservation is routinely used to store supernumerary embryos, to improve cumulative pregnancy rates and to help effectively implement a single embryo transfer policy. However, oocyte cryopreservation has proved to be more challenging as the survival rates and pregnancy rates were initially low.

Type: Chapter
Information: Subfertility, Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproduction , pp. 165 - 169

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316488294.022 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2019

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Book purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Maheshwari, A, Pandy, S, Shetty, A, Hamilton, M, Bhattacharya, S. Obstetric and perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies resulting from the transfer of frozen thawed versus fresh embryos generated through in vitro fertilization treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Fertil Steril. 2012 Aug;98(2):368–77CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Di Santo, M, Tarozzi, N, Nadalini, M, Borini, A. Human sperm cryopreservation: update on techniques, effect on DNA integrity, and implications for ART. Adv Urol. 2012;2012:854837CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Lassalle, B and Testart, J. Human embryo features that influence the success of cryopreservation with the use of 1,2 propandiol. Fertil Steril. 1985;44:645–651CrossRef Google Scholar

Coticchio, G, Bonu, M, Borini, A, Flamigni, C. Oocyte cryopreservation: a biological perspective. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2004;115:S2–S7CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Boldt, J. Current results with slow freezing and vitrification of the human oocyte. Reprod Biomed Online. 2011;23:314–322Google Scholar

Papatheodorou, A, Vanderzwalmen, P, Panagiotidis, Y, Prapas, N, Zikopoulos, K, Georgiou, I, Prapas, Y. Open versus closed oocyte vitrification system: a prospective randomized sibling-oocyte study. Reprod Biomed Online. 2013 Jun;26(6):595–602Google Scholar

Edgar, and D Gook, D. A critical appraisal of cryopreservation (slow cooling versus vitrification) of human oocytes and embryos. Human Reprod Update. 2012; 18(5):536–554CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Ohlander, S, Hotaling, J, Kirshenbaum, E, Niederberger, C, Eisenberg, ML. Use of fresh versus cryopreserved sperm. Fertil Steril. 2014 Feb;101(2):e12Google Scholar

Ozkavukcu, S, Erdemli, E, Isik, A, Oztuna, D, Karahuseyinoglu, S. Effects of cryopreservation on sperm parameters and ultrastructural morphology of human spermatozoa. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2008 Aug;25(8):403–11CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Fortunato, A, Leo, R, Liguori, F. Effects of cryostorage on human sperm chromatin integrity. Zygote. 2012;8:1–7Google Scholar

Gosálvez, J, Núñez, R, Fernández, JL, López-Fernández, C, Caballero, P. Dynamics of sperm DNA damage in fresh versus frozen-thawed and gradient processed ejaculates in human donors. Andrologia. 2011;43:373–7CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Stein, A¹, Shufaro, Y, Hadar, S, Fisch, B, Pinkas, H. Successful use of the Cryolock device for cryopreservation of scarce human ejaculate and testicular spermatozoa. Andrology. 2015 Mar;3(2):220–4Google Scholar

Chen, Y, Li, L, Qian, Y, Xu, C, Zhu, Y, Huang, H, Jin, F, Ye, Y. Small-volume vitrification for human spermatozoa in the absence of cryoprotectants by using Cryotop. Andrologia. 2015 Aug;47(6):694–9Google Scholar

Tournaye, H, Dohle, GR, Barratt, CL. Fertility preservation in men with cancer. Lancet. 2014 Oct 4;384(9950):1295–301Google Scholar

Leibo, SP and Pool, TB. The principal variables of cryopreservation: solutions, temperatures, and rate changes. Fertil Steril. 2011;96(2):269–76Google Scholar

Potdar, N, Gelbaya, TA, Nardo, LG. Oocyte vitrification in the 21st century and post-warming fertility outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online. 2014 Aug;29(2):159–76CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Alpha Scientists in Reproductive Medicine and ESHRE Special Interest Group in Reproductive Medicine. The alpha consensus meeting on cryopreservation key performance indicators and benchmarks: proceedings of an expert meeting. Reprod BioMed Online. 2012;25:146–67Google Scholar

Mukaida, T, Oka, C, Goto, T, Takahashi, K. Artificial shrinkage of blastocoeles using either a micro-needle or a laser pulse prior to the cooling steps of vitrification improves survival rate and pregnancy outcome of vitrified human blastocysts. Hum Reprod. 2006 Dec;21(12):3246–52.Google Scholar

Ahlström, A, Westin, C, Wikland, M, Hardarson, T. Prediction of live birth in frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer cycles by pre-freeze and post-thaw morphology. Hum Reprod. 2013 May;28(5):1199–209Google Scholar

Loutradi, K, Kolibianakis, E, Venetis, C, Evangelos, E, Pados, G, Bontis, I, Tarlatzis, B. Cryopreservation of human embryos by vitrification or slow freezing: a systematic review and meta analysis. Fertil Steril. 2008;90(1):186–93CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Noyes, N, Porcu, E, Borini, A. Over 900 oocyte cryopreservation babies born with no apparent increase in congenital anomalies. Reprod Biomed Online. 2009;18(6):769–76Google Scholar

Kupka, MS, Ferraretti, AP, de Mouzon, J, Erb, K, D’Hooghe, T, Castilla, JA, alhaz-Jorge, C, De Geyter, C, Goossens, V. The European IVF-Monitoring (EIM) Consortium, for the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). Assisted reproductive technology in Europe, 2010: results generated from European registers by ESHRE. Hum Reprod. 2014;29(10):2099–113Google Scholar