Human oocyte cryopreservation: evidence for practice.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this article is to review the evidence regarding human oocyte cryopreservation by slow freezing and vitrification and to provide evidence-based clinical and laboratory guidelines on the effectiveness and safety of these technologies.


METHODS
These guidelines will address the following: Stage of oocyte maturity. Methods of cryopreservation/warming. Slow controlled cooling. Vitrification. Techniques used for insemination. Ovarian stimulation regimens. The guidelines do not cover recommendations for ovarian tissue freezing or in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM).


METHODS
The following outcome measures were examined: cryosurvival, fertilisation rate, cleavage rate, clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate, health of resulting children.
Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Fertility, The Jessop Wing, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Sheffield, S10 2SF, UK. rachel.cutting@sth.nhs.uk
Cutting
Rachel
R
Barlow
Su
S
Anderson
Richard
R
D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D009865:Oocytes; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy
D003451:Cryoprotective Agents