What is Cryopreservation?
Cryopreservation is a scientific technique that preserves cells, tissues, or even whole organs at very low temperatures (usually below freezing) to maintain viability and functionality for an extended period. This process involves cooling biological material to temperatures where biological activity is essentially halted, allowing storage for future use. In the context of infertility in humans, cryopreservation is commonly used to store sperm, eggs, and embryos for later use in assisted reproductive technologies like IVF.
Types of Cryopreservation
Several methods are available depending on the type of biological material:
- Sperm Freezing: Preserves semen samples for men before treatments or for use in IVF.
- Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation): Helps women preserve fertility for the future.
- Embryo Freezing: Common in IVF cycles where excess embryos are stored for later use.
- Ovarian/Testicular Tissue Freezing: For prepubertal children or patients unable to produce mature eggs/sperm.
- Stem Cell Preservation: For patients with blood disorders, cancers, or for potential regenerative therapies.
30 Mins to 2 Hours
Surgery Duration
Local Anesthesia with Sedation
Anesthesia Used
1 Week
Full Recovery Timeline
What are the Indications of Cryopreservation
Cryopreservation is indicated when there is a need to preserve fertility potential or genetic material for future use.
Common indications include:
- Undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or major pelvic surgery that may damage reproductive organs
- Poor ovarian reserve or declining sperm quality identified in fertility tests
- Preparation for assisted reproductive techniques like IVF or ICSI
- Presence of genetic or hereditary conditions requiring embryo screening before pregnancy
- Fertility preservation before gender-affirming (sex reassignment) surgery
- Storage of excess embryos after IVF for future pregnancy attempts
- Donor egg, sperm, or embryo banking programs
Who Needs Cryopreservation?
Cryopreservation is recommended for individuals who show symptoms or circumstances affecting fertility or reproductive planning.
Symptoms and situations that may indicate the need for cryopreservation include:
- Difficulty conceiving due to low sperm count or irregular ovulation
- Irregular or absent menstrual cycles suggesting early menopause risk
- Emotional stress or career commitments delaying childbearing plans
- Poor semen parameters such as low motility or morphology
- Need for fertility preservation before major illness or surgery
- Desire to plan future pregnancy without immediate conception
- Anxiety about age-related decline in egg or sperm quality
How to Prepare for Cryopreservation?
Preparation steps differ depending on whether sperm, eggs, embryos, or stem cells are being preserved. General preparation includes:
- Medical Consultation: Meet with a fertility specialist to discuss options and suitability.
- Blood Tests & Screening: Infectious disease screening (HIV, Hepatitis B/C, etc.) is mandatory before storage.
- For Men (Sperm Freezing): Avoid ejaculation for 2-5 days before sample collection.
- For Women (Egg Freezing): Hormonal injections are given for 10-14 days to stimulate egg production, followed by ultrasound monitoring before retrieval.
- For Embryos: Requires IVF cycle preparation with both egg retrieval and sperm collection.
- For Stem Cells: May need medication to stimulate stem cell release before collection.
- Lifestyle Preparation: Stop smoking, reduce alcohol, eat healthy, and maintain good hydration for best results.
Cryopreservation Procedure : Before, During, and After
Cryopreservation involves preparing, freezing, storing, and thawing biological materials. The specific procedure may vary depending on the material type.
Before Cryopreservation
- Evaluation and Consultation: Discuss the need for cryopreservation with a medical professional. Determine the material to be preserved (sperm, eggs, etc.).
- Medical Assessment: Undergo medical assessments to ensure suitability for cryopreservation. Receive guidance on the best timing for cryopreservation.
- Consent and Legal Formalities: Provide informed consent and address any legal and ethical considerations.
- Preparation of Biological Material: Depending on the material, it may need preparation to minimize damage during freezing. Cryoprotectants may be added to protect cells.
During Cryopreservation
- Cooling and Freezing: The material is gradually cooled to very low temperatures using controlled-rate freezing or vitrification.
- Storage: The cryopreserved material is stored at ultra-low temperatures, typically in liquid nitrogen at around -196 degrees Celsius (-321 degrees Fahrenheit), which is the cryopreservation temperature required to maintain the viability of sperm, eggs, and embryos.
After Cryopreservation
- Monitoring and Storage Management: The cryopreserved samples are monitored to ensure proper storage conditions and viability.
- Assessment and Viability Check: After thawing, the material's viability and functionality are assessed to ensure suitability for its intended use.
- Thawing and Revival: When needed, the preserved material is carefully thawed and brought back to viable temperatures.
- Application: Depending on the material, it can be used for various applications such as fertility treatments, research, or medical therapies.
- Next Steps: Based on the viability assessment, medical professionals will guide further steps.
Who will do Cryopreservation Procedure?
A Cryopreservation procedure is performed by an Embryologist or a Fertility Specialist. These experts work in assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratories to preserve sperm, eggs, or embryos at very low temperatures for future use in fertility treatments.
How will the Recovery be After the Procedure?
Recovery after cryopreservation depends on the biological material and its intended use. Here's a general recovery outline for various procedures:
- Sperm Cryopreservation: No physical recovery time is required.
- Egg (Oocyte) Cryopreservation: Short rest after egg retrieval, with mild cramping or discomfort possible. Most women can resume normal activities the next day.
- Embryo Cryopreservation: Recovery is similar to egg retrieval, with a short rest period recommended after transfer. Mild discomfort is possible, and some clinics advise avoiding heavy lifting for a few days.
- Stem Cell Cryopreservation: Recovery after stem cell collection (bone marrow, peripheral blood, etc.) may involve some soreness or discomfort at the collection site. Rest and limited physical activity might be advised for a short period following the collection.
- Tissue Cryopreservation (Ovarian or Testicular): Recovery after ovarian or testicular tissue cryopreservation involves the recovery process from the tissue removal procedure. Some mild discomfort or soreness at the surgical site can be expected.
- Rest and limited activity might be recommended for a few days after the procedure.
- Organ Cryopreservation: Recovery after organ cryopreservation depends on the type of organ and the specific preservation method used. Organs for transplantation are typically thawed and transplanted as part of the same surgical procedure.
Follow-Up Appointments:
Depending on the type of cryopreserved material, follow-up appointments might be scheduled to monitor the recovery and provide further instructions.
Benefits of Cryopreservation
- Preserves fertility for cancer patients or those delaying parenthood
- Allows multiple IVF attempts without repeated egg retrieval procedures
- Ensures embryos, eggs, or sperm remain healthy and viable for years
- Supports stem cell therapy for future treatments
- Provides flexibility in family planning decisions
Risks of Cryopreservation
Though generally safe, cryopreservation may carry some risks:
- Possible damage to cells during freezing or thawing
- Limited success rates depending on the type of cells preserved
- Storage costs over time
- Emotional and ethical considerations in embryo storage
- Rare chances of contamination if storage protocols are not followed
How Much Does Cryopreservation Cost in India?
- Sperm Freezing: Rs. 10,000 - Rs. 20,000 (initial) + Rs. 3,000 - Rs. 5,000 yearly storage fee
- Egg Freezing: Rs. 50,000 - Rs. 1,00,000 (per cycle) + Rs. 10,000 - Rs. 20,000 yearly storage fee
- Embryo Freezing: Rs. 30,000 - Rs. 60,000 (per cycle) + storage charges
- Stem Cell Preservation: Rs. 50,000 - Rs. 1,50,000 (initial) + Rs. 5,000 - Rs. 10,000 annual maintenance
040 68334455
WhatsApp
Patient Portal
Home Care
