Cryopreservation/Vitrification

Procedure description

Vitrification is an innovative method of ultra-rapid embryo freezing.

The freezing speed during vitrification reaches 20,000 degrees per minute, with a final storage temperature of -197°C. Unlike conventional freezing, vitrification prevents thickening of the protective shell and ice crystal formation on the cell surface, ensuring high-quality biological material after thawing.

What material can be frozen?

• Oocytes (egg cells)
• Spermatozoa (ejaculate)
• Embryos previously obtained during an IVF cycle
• Testicular or ovarian tissue (a cutting-edge technology for fertility preservation)

Preservation of high-quality biological material provides a second chance after an unsuccessful IVF attempt, allowing a new embryo transfer without ovarian hormonal stimulation.

Features of cryopreservation in leading international clinics

The cryopreservation procedure is applied in fertility preservation programs, IVF, and artificial insemination. In an IVF programme, embryo freezing and storage are usually charged separately from the base cycle, so they are worth factoring in when comparing prices across countries. For more on this, see “IVF Abroad: When Fertility Treatment Is Restricted, Expensive or Unavailable at Home”.

In advanced clinics, the obtained biological material is stored in specialized cryobanks, which international patients can access remotely. Cryostorage facilities guarantee both the safety and confidentiality of frozen samples.

Another important advantage of such clinics is the presence of state-of-the-art tracking systems that monitor the movement of samples within the laboratory, thus eliminating the risk of mixing up one’s own biomaterial with someone else’s.