The application and impact of cryopreservation of early cleavage stage embryos in assisted reproduction
- Resource Type
- Authors
- David H. Edgar; Janell Archer; Harold Bourne
- Source
- Human fertility (Cambridge, England). 8(4)
- Subject
- animal structures
Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
medicine.medical_treatment
Cleavage Stage, Ovum
Population
Embryonic Development
Biology
Cryopreservation
Andrology
Embryo cryopreservation
Pregnancy
medicine
Humans
Embryo Implantation
education
education.field_of_study
In vitro fertilisation
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Embryo
General Medicine
Blastomere
medicine.disease
Embryo Transfer
Embryo, Mammalian
Embryo transfer
Reproductive Medicine
embryonic structures
Female
Pregnancy, Multiple
- Language
- ISSN
- 1464-7273
The contribution of cryopreserved embryos to the overall outcomes achieved by a clinical assisted reproduction programme has increased in importance with the trend towards reducing the numbers of fresh embryos transferred following in vitro fertilisation. Although cryopreservation appears to fully preserve developmental potential in early cleavage stage embryos that survive intact, it results in a reduction in potential when blastomere loss occurs during freezing and thawing. Overall, it can be estimated that cryopreservation results in approximately a 30% reduction in the potential for pregnancy in a population of embryos. Both blastomere survival and post-thaw resumption of mitosis can act as markers of implantation potential in frozen/thawed embryos. Application of strict criteria for freezing embryos and transferring thawed embryos may enhance apparent success rates, but may also result in some pregnancy potential being discarded. The role of embryo cryopreservation in minimising the incidence of multiple pregnancy must be balanced with the need for efficiency in the quest to establish pregnancy.