What is Fertility preservation?
Fertility preservation methods allow people to cryopreserve their reproductive cells (egg or sperm) for future use. The most well-established and practical options for fertility preservation are egg freezing and sperm freezing. These use advanced cryopreservation for fertility, which allows reproductive cells to remain alive for years without degrading.
As the social dynamics have now shifted towards an older age of conception, fertility preservation is one of the most practical solutions. This is so, especially in women who follow a gruelling career, are on chemotherapy, or simply waiting for the best time.
What is the process of Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing is when eggs are extracted, frozen, and stored during a woman’s prime reproductive stage. It typically pertains to women who plan on delaying their desire to become a parent. Here is the egg freezing process step by step:
- Ovarian Stimulation: Hormonal injections stimulate the ovaries and assist in releasing several eggs in one cycle, which, on average, takes 10-14 days.
- Monitoring: Regular ultrasounds and blood tests monitor the development of follicles—fluid-filled sacs holding eggs.
- Egg Retrieval: A doctor retrieves the eggs while under sedation. It is done with the help of a fine needle guided by ultrasound.
- Cryopreservation: Retrieved eggs are systematically frozen and vitrified to prevent the formation of ice crystals, maintaining their good quality.
An earlier freezing of the eggs achieves a higher success rate because younger eggs are more productive when used in future fertility treatment. Moreover, the possibility of success between frozen eggs and sperm is determined based on the age at which they were preserved.
What is Sperm Freezing?
Semen cryopreservation, or sperm freezing, can be considered less invasive and simpler than egg freezing. This process is only suitable if the males need their sperm frozen for future use, particularly in cases where medical procedures, hazardous work settings, or lifestyle choices could jeopardise their fertility. Here’s how it works:
- Sample Collection: The sample for semen can either come from natural ejaculation or as a by-product of medical practices.
- Analysis: The quality is graded on the sample and measured based on sperm count, motility, and even morphology.
- Cryopreservation: a cryoprotectant mixed with sperm that freeze in nitrogen tanks.
One positive attribute of this storage duration as far as egg and sperm freezing is concerned for fertility preservation option is that sperm freezing has an insignificant effect on the quality.
What are the Advantages of Egg and Sperm Freezing Fertility Preservation Options?
The long-term benefits of fertility preservation extend far beyond the delay in childbearing. That’s why more and more people turn to these options:
- Medical Safeguard: Patients who undergo chemotherapy will be able to preserve their fertility before the full effects of the medication start kicking in.
- Flexibility: Fertility preservation allows you to pursue all your personal and professional ambitions without the fear of a biological clock.
- Success Chances: The advantages of freezing eggs at a young age enhance the chances of successful conception later.
- Emotional Peace: A notion that ensures that one’s fertility is safely taken care of proves to be a relief that no one else can offer.
How cryopreservation for Fertility works?
Fertility cryopreservation is a scientific procedure in which reproduction cells are cooled down and placed in a liquid nitrogen tank at extremely low temperatures (-196°C). In this condition, all biological activities are arrested, and the eggs or sperm are not affected but kept intact until they are thawed out of the frozen state.
Most significantly, improvements in cryopreservation technologies have helped raise the hope of fertility recovered from frozen eggs and sperm. Survival rate after thawing hovers around 90-95% for most samples.
What is the Success Rate for Frozen Egg and Sperm?
Success rates from frozen eggs and sperm are influenced by several parameters, including the age at which freezing is conducted, the quality of the cells at the time, and the technical competence of the fertility clinic involved. Here’s a summary:
- Egg Freezing: In general, patients under the age of 35 have a better chance, with a possibility of live births 5-12% after thawing from one egg. However, freezing many eggs significantly increases such a possibility.
- Sperm Freezing: The fertility level of frozen sperms is almost on par with that of fresh sperms. When they are used in procedures like IVF or ICSI, there could be a prospective success rate above 50%.
Egg and sperm freezing are examples of fertility preservation options that allow people to take charge of their reproductive futures. These innovative options provide hope and flexibility.
Why Choose Tender Palm IVF & Fertility Center for Egg and Sperm Cryopreservation in Lucknow, India?
Tender Palm IVF & Fertility Center offers Best Egg and Sperm Cryopreservation in Lucknow, India. We have an experienced team of fertility specialists and embryologists who utilize advanced vitrification and cryogenic storage systems to preserve eggs and sperm with high survival and success rates. Our lab ensures safe, long-term preservation for individuals undergoing fertility treatment, cancer therapy, or those wishing to delay parenthood. With strict quality control, secure biobanking, and personalised fertility planning, we provide reliable, affordable, and future-ready reproductive care.
To seek an expert consultation for Egg and Sperm Cryopreservation in Lucknow, India: