How Does Embryo Freezing Work?
embryo freezing process involves several carefully monitored steps that ensure safety and efficiency:
Ovarian stimulation: Medications are administered to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs.
Egg retrieval: Eggs are retrieved from the ovaries using a needle guided by ultrasound.
Fertilization: Eggs are fertilized with sperm in a laboratory to create embryos.
Embryo development: Embryos are allowed to develop to a desired stage (usually blastocyst stage) before freezing.
Cryoprotectant exposure: Embryos are exposed to a cryoprotectant solution which helps prevent ice crystal formation during freezing.
Vitrification (rapid freezing): The embryos are rapidly frozen using liquid nitrogen, essentially replacing the water in the cells with the cryoprotectant solution.
Storage: Frozen embryos are stored in liquid nitrogen tanks at very low temperatures (-196°C).