Donation of frozen embryos after in vitro fertilization is uncommon.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the availability of donated cryopreserved embryos.


METHODS
Retrospective review.


METHODS
Community hospital-based IVF-ET program.


METHODS
Eighty-three consecutive infertile couples who had 98 sets of embryos cryopreserved after IVF-ET and GIFT between January 1, 1989 and December 31, 1991.


METHODS
Cryopreservation of fertilized oocytes or cleaving embryos after IVF-ET and GIFT.


METHODS
Disposition of frozen embryos as of December 31, 1995.


RESULTS
Of 98 sets of frozen embryos, 71 (72.4%) were thawed for transfer into the infertile woman. At an average of 6 years since the treatment cycle, six sets of embryos (6.1%) remain in storage. Of 21 sets of embryos not thawed for autologous transfer, the majority (17.4%) were discarded, leaving only four clutches (4.1%) available for donation.


CONCLUSIONS
Couples who did not use their frozen embryos after IVF-ET and GIFT were four times more likely to destroy them than to donate them.
Hounshell
C V
CV
Alta Bates In Vitro Fertilization Program, Berkeley, California, USA.
Chetkowski
R J
RJ
D015925:Cryopreservation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors