Cryopreservation of human embryos as a useful tool for infertile couples.
In order to improve the pregnancy rate per oocyte retrieval while reducing the chance of multiple-gestations, a technique of cryopreservation of human embryos was used for our initial study consisting of 100 infertile patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. These patients combined a "fresh" embryo transfer with cryopreservation. The embryos were cryopreserved with 1,2-propanediol. Twenty-nine (29%) patients achieved ongoing pregnancies from the fresh embryo transfer. Thirty patients received a transfer of thawed embryos in a natural cycle. Nine of these patients achieved ongoing pregnancies. Combining these 2 transfers results in a 38% ongoing pregnancy rate. Forty-one patients have yet to receive their frozen embryos. The current success rate in this study indicates that over 50% of the patients in this group can expect to become pregnant by the time all the cryopreserved embryos have been transferred.
Katayama
K P
KP
Advanced Institute of Fertility, Sinai-Samaritan Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233.
Stehlik
E
E
Roesler
M
M
Pentimalli
C
C
Gunnarson
C
C
Jagusch
S
S
Meyer
M
M
D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy