Oocyte Cryopreservation

While embryos and sperm are routinely performed, the freezing of oocytes or ovarian tissue is a procedure rarely performed. This is mainly due to the fact that oocytes are particularly sensitive to the freeze/thaw process. However, the increasing number of women with premature ovarian failure and the improvement of the cryoprotectants used have made oocyte cryopreservation an alternative solution to many couples or unmarried women. The procedure followed is similar the embryo freezing method and the oocytes are stored in tanks of liquid nitrogen.

Finally, it is important to mention that this innovating procedure would be extremely helpful to women about to start chemo/radio therapy in order to preserve their fertility.