Embryo cryopreservation is now an established and particularly important technique in the field of Assisted Reproduction. Since the birth of the first child worldwide from frozen embryos in 1983, the method has evolved significantly, offering safety and high success rates.

By freezing embryos, it is possible to:

• to preserve the genetic material in excellent condition for future use

• to increase the chances of pregnancy in subsequent cycles

• to avoid new pharmacological stimulation and oocyte retrieval, thus reducing the physical and psychological burden on the woman

The embryos are stored in special conditions at a temperature of approximately –196°C, where they remain stable until they are selected for embryo transfer.

As with any natural process, there is a chance that some embryos will not fully survive the freezing and thawing stages. In general, about 8 out of 10 embryos remain viable after thawing — a rate that is considered very good, especially with modern rapid freezing (vitrification) techniques.