Preserving eggs, sperm cells and fertilised eggs 

Cryopreservation means “using the process of cooling to maintain viability”. Eggs, sperm cells and embryos can be frozen, e.g. using the vitrification process (glass-like) and can then be thawed at a later point in time. For instance, this enables the freezing of eggs and sperm cells before a chemotherapy treatment in order to be able to have a child after recovering. If a course of fertility treatment has produced several embryos, they can be frozen and used for another pregnancy later on.  
Today, the vitrification process is regarded as the preferential treatment method. The extremely fast cooling (flash freezing) enables survival rates when thawing of 90 to 95%. The eggs therefore have a high degree of fertility, just like eggs that are not frozen. The same applies to embryos.

Today, eggs can be frozen using the vitrification process to postpone a desired pregnancy until a later time in life. Creating a fertility reserve should take place at a time when the quality of the eggs is good and the pregnancy rate is high. We recommend retrieval when the woman is in her mid-20s to early 30s. Creating a fertility reserve after the age of 40 is only advisable in a few limited circumstances. The objective is to freeze at least 20 eggs. In most cases, this number is achieved after two stimulation cycles; in the case of very young women, – between 20 and 25 years of age,  one cycle often suffices.

Egg retrieval should therefore be performed at as young an age as possible. An embryo transfer with previously frozen eggs does not have a negative effect on the baby’s health or the expectant mother’s health. Make an appointment and let us discuss the chances and possible risks with you.

There are also reasons for men to freeze their sperm cells.
First of all, we need a sperm sample for the cryopreservation of sperm cells. The sample is tested for mobility and the quality of the sperm and then frozen. The specimen can be preserved for many years and then thawed at a suitable time for artificial insemination. Another option is cryopreservation of testicular tissue. The tissue is retrieved under anaesthetic - directly tested for sperm cells and then frozen.
Make an appointment if you have any other questions or would like more information.