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Cryopreservation, or freezing of embryos, was first successfully attempted in 1983 by Alan Trounson. Since then, frozen embryo transfer has become an important procedure for infertility treatment. Embryos are frozen at -196 °C in liquid nitrogen cryo tanks on day three or day five. Freezing and thawing of embryos are very efficient and over 95% of frozen embryos survive this process.
The procedure FET stands for frozen embryo transfers, in which the intended mother might be given estrogen pills to build up the uterine lining before receiving progesterone therapy to make the uterus receptive to the embryo. As an alternative, a patient undergoing a "natural" FET cycle is watched until ovulation takes place, and the embryo is then placed into the uterus three to five days after ovulation.
Several studies have reported no significant difference between the live birth rate (LBR) after FET and that after a fresh embryo transfer. However, some studies have reported that the LBR after FET was better than that of a fresh embryo transfer. Consult with a reporoductive medicine expert in Mysore to know more.
Stages of IVF
IVF involves 2 stages are:
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Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH) of follicles.
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Egg collection.
Advantages of Freezing Embryos
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OHSS (Ovarian hyperstimulation) is a complication that can occur during COH in some patients. The incidence of late OHSS can be reduced by freezing embryos and transferring them at a later stage, once the ovaries have become normal.
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Patients who have conceived their first child through IVF can freeze the extra embryos. These embryos can be used to conceive their second or third child at a later date, hence avoiding repeated egg collection.
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Women who need to undergo surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy for cancer can freeze their eggs or embryos before their cancer treatment.
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Social freezing is another indication wherein women who wish to conceive at a later stage, either due to career commitments or due to a lack of a partner can freeze the embryos or eggs, to be used at a later stage. Visit the best fertility hospital in Mysore to consult with the experts.
The duration of storage has no significant effect on clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, implantation, or live birth rate. Therefore, although fresh embryo transfer is still routine, the freeze-all strategy has been widely adopted and applied in recent years.
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