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Vitrification of Human Oocytes and Embryos: An Overview

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Biennial Review of Infertility

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Abstract

Vitrification is the achievement of a “state of suspended animation” wherein molecular translational motions are arrested without structural reorganization of the liquid. Vitrification protocols are relatively simple for the practitioner, potentially faster, and inexpensive. The process relies on the placement of the cell in a very small volume of vitrification medium that must be cooled at extreme rates, which are difficult to obtain in regular enclosed cryostraws or vials. The growing number of reports of successfully completed pregnancies following vitrification makes for an extremely encouraging future for its wider adoption, the procedure appears safe, is easily assimilated into a busy IVF laboratory, and promises improved patient outcomes when used correctly. For blastocyst vitrification, a closed system is effective for achieving high implantation and pregnancy rates as seen with fresh embryo transfers. With this increased use of vitrification in human-assisted reproduction, we should see an evolution of the vitrification process as it is fine-tuned to clinical needs. Thus, the future should bring higher levels of clinical efficiency, utilization, and universal acceptance.

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Acknowledgment

The author acknowledges a friend and colleague Dr. Joe Conaghan (Pacific Fertility Center; San Francisco) for reviewing and editing the manuscript and thanks the physicians and the embryologists (Elissa Pelts, BS; Jill Matthews, BS; Sara Sanchez, BS; Yuri Wagner, BS; Rebecca Brohammer, BS; and Ewelina Pawlowska, MS) at the Fertility Centers of Illinois (Chicago) for their invaluable contributions and support in pushing vitrification to become the standard protocol for cryopreservation of human oocytes and blastocysts within the program since 2004.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. In Vitro Fertilization Laboratory, Fertility Centers of Illinois, River North Center, 900 N Kingsbury, Suite RW6, Chicago, IL, 60610, USA

    Juergen Liebermann Ph.D., H.C.L.D.

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  1. Juergen Liebermann Ph.D., H.C.L.D.
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Correspondence to Juergen Liebermann Ph.D., H.C.L.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Weill Cornell Medical Center, Dept. Urology, New York Presbyterian Hospital, East 68th St. 525, New York, 10021, New York, USA

    Peter N. Schlegel

  2. , Department of Reproductive Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, Utrecht, 3508 GA, Netherlands

    Bart C. Fauser

  3. S. Arapeen Drive 675, Salt Lake, 84108, Utah, USA

    Douglas T. Carrell

  4. and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinlogy, Francis St. 75, Boston, 02115, Massachusetts, USA

    Catherine Racowsky

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Liebermann, J. (2013). Vitrification of Human Oocytes and Embryos: An Overview. In: Schlegel, P., Fauser, B., Carrell, D., Racowsky, C. (eds) Biennial Review of Infertility. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7187-5_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7187-5_15

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