The aim of assisted reproduction is not to manipulate nature, but to optimize the natural fertility abilities of a couple asking for the help of a doctor.

Prof. MUDr. Ladislav Pilka, DrSc.

5. 10. 2012

Oocyte cryo-conservation

As one of the first centres in the country our Clinic has introduced the vitrification of oocytes (fast freezing of eggs) into clinical praxis.

This method allows us to cryopreserve oocytes (freezing and storing for future use) which was not possible with the previous so named slow freezing method. Up to now it has been common practice to freeze sperm or embryos but the freezing of oocytes is much more demanding.

The vitrification of oocytes is used when:

  1. There is a risk of Ovarian function failure. This then enables the patient to store their own eggs for future use
  2. There is risk of fertility loss following oncology treatment. Vitrification gives fertile women a possibility to hold onto the chances of pregnancy until after the treatment.
  3. There is unexpected absence of the partner’s sperm in the IVF cycle. If on the day of the egg retrieval it is for any reason not possible to obtain the partner’s sperm it is then possible to freeze any collected eggs.
  4. Young women of reproductive age who have no current partner and are afraid that in time, when they do have a partner, their fertility will be lower. Also, women who are postponing their motherhood to later in their lives for educational or career reasons can have their eggs frozen.

According to international studies vitrification does not have an impact on pregnancies and does not increase the risk of giving birth to a child with congenital defects.

96.1% of vitrified oocytes have survived the defrosting process

73.1% of defrosted oocytes have been fertilized

38.5% implantation rate of embryos

63.2% pregnancy rate