Frozen Eggs Give Better Pregnancy Results than Fresh Eggs

Collecting and storing the woman's oocytes (eggs) for a while before fertilizing and implanting increase the success of pregnancy through in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment than using fresh eggs, according to a new report.

Findings are based on the experiments conducted by Dr. Claudino Benadiva at The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services (CARS) at the University of Connecticut Health Center and Linda Siano, chief embryologist. They found vitrification, a technique that is used in rapid freezing of eggs, highly promising for women who want to postpone pregnancy.

"We have found this technology has the potential to revolutionize the field of reproductive medicine, offering a clinically viable alternative to women seeking to preserve fertility for medical reasons, or who are of reproductive age but simply not ready to start a family," Benadiva, said in a news release.

For the study, researchers collected eggs from participant's ovaries, froze in cryoprotective solution and then thawed. Later, with the help of a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), the thawed eggs were warmed and fertilized with the sperm and implanted.

The method showed better pregnancy results and pregnancy outcome- clinical pregnancy rate of 53.8 percent and live birth or ongoing pregnancy rate of 46.1 percent.

"The results from this study show promise and are very encouraging," Siano said. "We will continue to analyze the data and refine our technique to provide patients with the absolute best chance for success."

Various artificial methods adopted by people who experience difficulties to conceive naturally are called assisted reproductive technology or ART. In vitro fertilisation (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), cryopreservation and intrauterine insemination (IUI) are some of the ART methods commonly used in the country.

ART has been prevalent in US from 1981 and each year, over one percent of American infants are conceived through ART.

Previous studies have found benefits of conceiving with the help of frozen embryos. A study presented at the British Science Festival found frozen embryos more effective in ensuring success of IVF treatment and having a smooth and trouble -free pregnancy than using fresh embryos.