Vitrification Is the Most Advanced Method of Cryopreservation, or Freezing, Available today

Vitrification, a flash-freeze procedure, far surpasses the slow-freeze method employed in the past. All of Ovation Fertility’s labs have a proven history in the field of cryopreservation, and they consistently use vitrification to preserve what is so important to our patients and their reproductive future.

Vitrification helps preserve the delicate structure of tissues and cells

Using older slow-freeze technology, water contained in the biologic material being frozen could crystallize, potentially causing damage to the delicate structure of the cells.

Vitrification negates the problems associated with water crystallization. First of all, when Ovation scientists freeze ovarian tissue, sperm, eggs or embryos, they use special cryoprotectants, substances that help withdraw most of the water from the tissues and cells.

The next step is to place the eggs in a liquid nitrogen bath, where the tissues and cells are flash-frozen in just two to three seconds. The combination of the cryoprotectants and the rapid freezing, or vitrification, works together to prevent the formation of crystals and also to prevent cellular membranes from rupturing.

After the ovarian tissue, sperm, eggs or embryos are frozen, they are stored in a special cryopreservation facility at -196 degrees Celsius (-320 degrees Fahrenheit) until they are needed to help our patients in their journey to parenthood.

Who may benefit from vitrification?

A variety of infertility problems can directly benefit from the process of vitrification. For example, people who have cancer may want to use vitrification (before undergoing treatment) to preserve their fertility. Women who want to delay childbearing may want to electively freeze their eggs so they can attempt to conceive when they are ready.

Men who are having a vasectomy may want to freeze sperm in case they change their minds after having the procedure and don’t want to undergo a major operation to reverse the vasectomy. Couples going through IVF may freeze their eggs or embryos as a routine part of that process.

Our caring and compassionate Ovation team members can explain the many reasons why vitrification may help you with your infertility issues. For more information, contact us.