Vitrification
At Sago IVF Team fertility centre in North Cyprus, we use the latest technology in assisted reproductive techniques, including sophisticated vitrification procedures. What is vitrification, why is it used, and in what circumstances is it applied?
WHAT IS VITRIFICATION?
Vitrification is a technique used to freeze biological material, such as eggs, embryos, and sperm, quickly and efficiently.
Unlike traditional slow freezing, which can lead to the formation of ice crystals that can damage cells, vitrification is a rapid cooling process that creates a glass-like state without any unfavourable formations.
This state preserves the biological material and maintains its quality and viability. Vitrification can yield success rates that are comparable to those achieved with fresh specimens.
WHY IS VITRIFICATION USED?
Vitrification is commonly used in assisted reproductive technology, particularly in egg freezing and embryo freezing.
Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, involves the collection of mature eggs from a woman’s ovaries and freezing them for later use.
Embryo freezing involves the preservation of fertilised eggs at the blastocyst stage for later use.
Vitrification is used in these procedures because it allows for the preservation of the biological material in a way that maintains its condition and sustainability. This means that when the material is thawed and used in a future cycle, it has a higher chance of resulting in a successful pregnancy.
In addition to its use in egg and embryo freezing, vitrification is also used in sperm freezing, allowing men to preserve their fertility for future use. A man can also have his sperm frozen if he is unable to produce a fresh semen sample on the same day as egg collection in an IVF cycle.
WHEN IS VITRIFICATION APPLIED?
The best fertility clinics in Europe adopt vitrification for various reasons, including:
- Fertility Preservation. Women who are facing medical treatments that have a negative impact on their fertility, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, may choose to undergo egg freezing as a means of preserving their fertility. By vitrifying their eggs, they can increase their chances of having a biological child in the future.
- Delaying Pregnancy. Candidates who want to delay having children until later in life may also choose to undergo egg freezing as a way of preserving their fertility. Vitrification allows women to freeze their eggs when they are younger, when their fertility is at its peak, and use them when they are ready to have children.
- IVF Treatment. Vitrification is commonly used in IVF treatment as a means of preserving excess embryos for future cycles. This can be particularly useful in cases where the couple wants to have more children in the future.
- Donor Egg Programs. Vitrification is also used in donor egg programs, allowing clinics to preserve and store donor eggs until they are ready to be used by a recipient.
VITRIFICATION IN NORTH CYPRUS
At Sago Team, we use vitrification as part of our advanced fertility preservation and assisted reproductive technology services.
Vitrification is a complex procedure that requires manual dexterity. It is a proven and highly successful freezing method, but it requires a delicate balance between cryoprotectant concentration, cooling rates and warming rates to achieve successful outcomes.
Only a few clinics in Cyprus offer this sophisticated method of fertility preservation and at Sago Team it is performed in our laboratories by a skilled cryobiologist. Our experienced embryologists further take all necessary precautions to prevent any damage to biological material during the freezing and latter thawing process.
We also have advanced storage facilities that maintain a constant temperature to ensure the safe preservation of frozen biological material.
All our Patient Coordinators are trained to discuss vitrification and fertility treatment options. Contact us now in confidence to learn more about how we can help you achieve your fertility goals.
