This procedure involves freezing the oocytes of the patient to prolong the reproductive capacity for as long as she wishes. Thus, the patient will have the same chances of becoming pregnant later as at the moment of the procedure.

What is vitrification of oocytes?

The vitrification of oocytes is a procedure widely used in preserving fertility. Female reproductive capacity stays the same throughout the years preserving the same chances of motherhood as on the day of vitrification. Thus, patients may reach middle age with no significant decrease in their chances to conceive in the future.

When is it performed?

• When a patient wishes to postpone motherhood for any reason.
• When a patient suffers from an oncological disease or is going to take gonadotoxic treatment.
• For women after consecutive ovarian surgery, for example in the case of endometriosis.
• Patients with an embryo transfer scheduled for a different cycle and not the one when follicle stimulation is performed (in cases with a risk of OHSS, polyp development, hydrosalpinx or hydrometra, absence of spermatozoa, etc.)
• Patients with a poor response: when it is needed to accumulate a sufficient quantity of oocytes if the aim is to perform a cycle of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis.

Results

Contrary to traditional freezing, the vitrification of oocytes is less damaging as it does not produce ice crystals. That is why around 97% of oocytes survive the procedure. Furthermore, the clinical results after are the same as with fresh oocytes.

Among the vitrification techniques the Cryotop method is the most advanced and effective. GENESIS is a trailblazer in this field and promotes this technique among European medical institutions. Survival rate of up to 97% is seen in young patients (<35 years old), with implantation rates of 40% and resulting in pregnancy in 65% of cases.

Procedure

The process of vitrification involves solidification and treatment of the oocytes with cryoprotective substances. Later the cells are submerged in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196°C. The procedure follows the steps of an IVF cycle: ovaries are stimulated with hormones, then follows aspiration of the oocytes. However, the next step is vitrification (Cryotop method) as opposed to insemination and fertilization. The oocytes are then stored in liquid nitrogen.

This procedure may be prescribed in a variety of cases, with the common feature being the wish to postpone the insemination of the oocytes and/or pregnancy.

The oocytes can survive in cryopreservation for as long as necessary with no limit.

Vitrification for cancer patients

In case of cancer patients vitrification of oocytes allows to postpone the pregnancy until after the cancer treatment and preserve the reproductive chances as they are at the date of vitrification. Women diagnosed with breast cancer are the most frequent patients to undergo this procedure at GENESIS.

It is essential to make a well-balanced and informed decision about oocyte vitrification as soon as cancer has been diagnosed and before the start of chemotherapy.

There are several factors to consider in the case of cancer patient’s oocyte vitrification. The age,  ovarian function and follicular reserve, the time span before chemotherapy and the approval of the oncologist in charge. The number of successfully vitrified oocytes will mostly determine the reproductive prognosis. Though the future pregnancy is not guaranteed, an IVF cycle may increase the chances of motherhood.