Examining Fertility Preservation Methods: Ovarian Tissue Freezing vs. Oocyte Cryopreservation

by Shivani Sachdev Director at SCI IVF Hospital

Fertility preservation is a rapidly growing field of medicine that offers hope to those who wish to have children in the future but may not be ready to start a family just yet. Two commonly used methods of fertility preservation are ovarian tissue freezing and oocyte cryopreservation, which are also related to in vitro fertilization (IVF). In this article, we will examine both methods and compare their advantages and disadvantages in the context of IVF.

Ovarian Tissue Freezing:

Ovarian tissue freezing involves the removal of a small piece of ovarian tissue, which is then frozen and stored until the individual is ready to start a family through IVF. This method is commonly used for women who are facing cancer treatment, as chemotherapy or radiation can damage the ovaries and cause infertility.

The process of ovarian tissue freezing involves a surgical procedure to remove the tissue. The tissue is then divided into small pieces and placed in a freezing solution, before being stored in a liquid nitrogen tank. When the individual is ready to undergo IVF, the tissue can be thawed and re-implanted into the body, where it will resume its natural function of producing hormones and releasing eggs for IVF.

One advantage of ovarian tissue freezing for IVF is that it does not require any hormonal stimulation, which may not be possible for women undergoing cancer treatment or those who wish to avoid hormonal stimulation. Additionally, ovarian tissue freezing can preserve a larger number of eggs than oocyte cryopreservation, which can be important for younger women who have a greater number of follicles in their ovaries, thereby increasing their chances of successful IVF.

However, ovarian tissue freezing is a relatively new technique, and there is limited data on its long-term success rates for IVF. Additionally, there is a risk of damage to the tissue during the freezing and thawing process, which could affect its ability to produce eggs for IVF.

Oocyte Cryopreservation:

Oocyte cryopreservation, also known as egg freezing, involves the removal of mature eggs from the ovaries, which are then frozen and stored until the individual is ready to undergo IVF. This method is commonly used for women who wish to delay childbearing due to personal or professional reasons or those who are undergoing IVF treatment and wish to freeze their eggs for future use.

The process of oocyte cryopreservation involves hormonal stimulation to increase the number of mature eggs produced by the ovaries for IVF. The eggs are then removed through a minimally invasive procedure and frozen using a technique called vitrification, which has been shown to preserve the eggs’ quality and viability for IVF.

One advantage of oocyte cryopreservation for IVF is that it has a higher success rate than ovarian tissue freezing, with some studies showing pregnancy rates of up to 40% with frozen eggs. Additionally, oocyte cryopreservation has been used successfully for over a decade in IVF, and there is more data available on its long-term success rates.

However, oocyte cryopreservation does require hormonal stimulation, which may not be possible for women who are undergoing cancer treatment or those who wish to avoid hormonal stimulation for IVF. Additionally, the process of egg retrieval can be uncomfortable and carries some risks, such as bleeding or infection.

Conclusion:

Both ovarian tissues freezing, and oocyte cryopreservation offer hope to individuals who wish to preserve their fertility for future use in IVF. However, the choice between these methods will depend on individual circumstances and preferences, as well as the advice of a qualified medical professional who specializes in IVF. It is important for individuals to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each method in the context of IVF and make an informed decision based on their personal goals and medical history.

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Created on Apr 10th 2023 23:46. Viewed 114 times.

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