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Iatros Specialist Hospital

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Vitrification of embryos

Embryo vitrification is a rapid freezing technique used to preserve suitable embryos for future fertility treatment.

During vitrification, embryos are exposed to protective solutions and rapidly cooled to preserve them at very low temperatures.

At Iatros Specialist Hospital, embryo vitrification is part of our fertility and embryology services and may be considered when embryos are suitable for preservation.

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Embryologist working with embryo cryopreservation equipment
What it is

What Is Embryo Vitrification?

Vitrification is a rapid cryopreservation technique used to preserve embryos.

Unlike traditional slow-freezing methods, vitrification involves very rapid cooling that reduces the formation of ice crystals within the embryo.

Embryos that are considered suitable for freezing can be preserved for potential future treatment according to the patient’s treatment plan.

Why Are Embryos Vitrified?

Embryo vitrification may be considered for several reasons, including:

 

  • Preserving suitable embryos that are not transferred during the current treatment cycle
  • Planning a future frozen embryo transfer
  • Fertility treatment strategies that require embryo preservation
  • Circumstances where embryo transfer needs to take place at a later time
  • Other clinical circumstances determined by the fertility team

How Does Embryo Vitrification Work?

Embryo assessment

Embryos are assessed by the embryology team to determine their suitability for preservation.

Preparation

Suitable embryos are prepared using specialised cryoprotective solutions.

Rapid freezing

The embryo is rapidly cooled using vitrification technology.

Storage

The vitrified embryo is stored under controlled cryogenic conditions.

Future use

When appropriate, a preserved embryo may later be warmed as part of a planned treatment cycle.

Who it suits

  • Couples with more good embryos than they will transfer now
  • Patients at risk of hyperstimulation, where a fresh transfer is unsafe
  • Anyone hoping for a second child from the same cycle
  • Patients about to start chemotherapy or similar treatment
  • Cycles where the womb lining is not ready for a fresh transfer
Not every embryo is suitable for freezing. We will only vitrify embryos we believe have a fair chance of surviving the thaw.
Step by step

From surplus embryo to later transfer

1
Day 5 or 6

Selection

The embryologist grades what has developed and identifies which embryos are worth freezing. You are told the number and the grades, not just a total.
2
Same day

Vitrification

Each embryo is treated with cryoprotectant and cooled in seconds, then labelled and placed into storage.
3
Storage

Held until you are ready

Embryos stay in liquid nitrogen, checked and inventoried, until you ask for a transfer or the consent period comes to an end.
4
When you return

Warming and transfer

The lining is prepared across two to three weeks, the embryo is warmed and checked for survival, and the transfer itself takes a few minutes.
Vitrification and storage
Price on request
freezing, plus the first year of storage
  • Embryo selection and grading
  • Vitrification of all suitable embryos
  • Labelling, inventory and first-year storage
  • Written consent and records
  • A survival report when embryos are warmed
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Storage beyond the first year is renewed annually. A frozen embryo transfer cycle is quoted separately.
Questions

Frequently asked

Storage itself does not damage them, so the limit is the consent period you sign rather than biology. We contact you before it expires, so that a decision is never made by default.
Most do, when they were suitable for freezing in the first place. We check survival after warming and tell you before the transfer goes ahead, rather than afterwards.
Often just as good, and sometimes better, because the lining is prepared without the drugs used for stimulation. Which suits you depends on your own cycle.
Your written consent covers it. Embryos are not used by one partner without the other, and consent can be withdrawn at any point before transfer.
Related

You may also want to read

IVF

The cycle that produces the embryos.

ICSI

How those embryos are fertilised.

Transport IVF

Monitoring near home, laboratory work here.

Ask how many of your embryos are worth keeping.

We will tell you honestly which ones are, and which ones are not.
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