Reproductive Medicine
IVF Treatments
Embryonic freezing
Embryonic freezing is used when the number of good quality embryos is greater than the number of embryos transferred to the uterus, a situation that is increasingly frequent in IVF treatment. These frozen embryos may be used in a further attempt, either if the pregnancy was not successful with the fresh semen, or if the patient wishes to become pregnant again.
According to current Spanish legislation on Assisted Human Reproduction Techniques (Act 14/2006), embryos may be kept available for the couple’s use during the whole fertile life of the woman. The act proposes four possible uses for cryogenically preserved embryos.
- Use by the couple
- Donation for reproductive purposes
- Donation for research purposes
- Cessation of their preservation without any other use
To require the embryos for any of these uses, it will be necessary to have the authorisation and informed consent of the woman or couple.
Embryonic Thawing
Thawing is the process by which the embryos go from a temperature of -196°C to a temperature of 37°C. This process is carried out using specific culture media.
Approximately 60-80% of thawed embryos survive the freezing-thawing process and those embryos are suitable for transfer.
To transfer the frozen embryos it is not necessary for the patient to undergo the whole process of ovarian stimulation, follicular puncture, etc. All that is needed is a simple medication and some ultrasound checks and she is ready to receive the embryos.
EMBRIOGYN | Estanislau Figueres 8, baixos, 43003 Tarragona Spain | Tel. 977 24 24 51 | Fax. 977 92 06 13
