FREEZING SEMEN, EMBRYOS AND OVULE

The greatest innovation in the world of assisted reproduction, since the introduction of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Microinjection (ICSI) is undoubtedly the Oocyte / Embryo Vitrification.

Success and survival rates after thawing are very high, and allow for significant embryonic development (cell division) during the In Vitro process.  This scientific innovation and technique used by CEFAM, is based on rapid freezing of the cells, with minimal use of protective cryo-agents.  This technique is based on that implemented by Japanese Dr. Kuwayama.

Traditionally, cells, are composed of water by more than 85% of its volume.  When cells were preserved by “slow” freezing, ice crystals formed within the structures that make up the cell, which acted as shards that promoted permanent damage to the integrity of the cell, and thus poor results in embryonic quality.

Through vitrification and interaction with minimum protective cryo agents, and cooling rates close to -23, 000 degrees per minute, the ultra-freezing maintains the integrity in the cell structure without forming ice crystals, but a substance “glass”, allowing survival rates. Pregnancy rates from these transferred embryos are quite high and in some cases even higher than those performed “fresh” by assisted reproduction treatment of high complexity.