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Scientific advances in assisted reproduction have fulfilled the dreams of many families. For decades, the percentage of children born thanks to this method has been growing year after year. Even more so with the current social changes that lead, among other things, to delaying pregnancy. Advanced age (from 30 onwards in women) is one of the main risk factors for natural pregnancy. For this and many other reasons, the preservation of eggs and sperm takes on a special meaning and interest. This is where the importance of vitrification comes into play, capable of ensuring the quality and viability of gametes.
By vitrification we mean the advanced cryopreservation technique that consists of freezing eggs or embryos for future use, thus preserving their fertility. This ultra-rapid freezing process is carried out in liquid nitrogen and at very low temperatures, in addition to using cryoprotective agents, with the aim of avoiding the formation of ice crystals that would present a risk to the viability and survival of the oocytes or embryos.
What does egg vitrification consist of?
For egg vitrification to be successful and for survival rates to be high, it must first of all be handled by experts, just as in devitrification. In fact, it is in the latter phase where the good practice of specialist embryologists is most needed, as a scientific study by Ovolearning shows.
For vitrification it is necessary:
- Ovarian stimulation: hormonal drugs stimulate the ovaries. These produce a quantity of eggs that is essential for the process.
- Egg retrieval: thanks to follicular puncture, a painless process for the woman, the most mature eggs are retrieved.
- Egg vitrification: the eggs are subjected to the vitrification process. This is an ultra-rapid freezing in liquid nitrogen (-196ºC) and using cryoprotective agents to ensure survival.
- Storage: as a final phase, the eggs will be stored in their corresponding DRY SHIPPERS liquid nitrogen tanks. Once the woman wishes to use them, the process of devitrification or oocyte thawing will be carried out in order to achieve pregnancy.
For whom is vitrification recommended?
The vitrification process, due to the high survival rates of oocytes (98%), is essential for many people. Vitrification is therefore recommended for:
- Women who wish to become mothers at an advanced age (from the age of 30). Personal or professional reasons may be a compelling reason to preserve fertility, as the quality of the eggs is maintained over time.
- People who have to undergo an oncological process. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy present an enormous risk to fertility.
- Autoimmune diseases: this type of disease is a major problem for women who wish to become mothers. Hence the importance of freezing eggs.
Although there are several other reasons to think about fertility preservation, such as removal of the ovaries, risks of premature ovarian failure or even fertility problems on the male side, these are the most common reasons why people take the step to preserve their fertility and fulfil their desire to have children in the future.
So that all these people, regardless of their location, can enjoy this safe and viable option, it is of utmost importance to have egg banks with excellent traceability systems, as is the case of Ovobank.
Safety and traceability: keys to preserving quality
Traceability is an essential pillar in the activity of a gamete bank, as it allows to control each stage that a sample -such as an egg cell- goes through from the moment it leaves the bank until it is received at the destination centre. This detailed monitoring guarantees both the safety and viability of the reproductive material throughout the entire logistical process.
Ovobank, a benchmark in Europe, pioneered the development of a fully digital traceability system, designed to minimise the risk of human error and reinforce quality control. This technological solution, known as Ovotracker, has transformed the way gamete transport is managed.
Ovotracker integrates barcodes, QR tags and specialised software to record each handling or transfer, while providing key information on the conditions of the shipment, such as temperature or the exact geolocation of each batch. The system also enables instant audits and detailed reporting to ensure chain of custody compliance at all times.
Thanks to the advanced and demanding system of transport, storage and traceability of samples, Ovobank is positioned as the leading gamete bank in Europe. With more than 480 collaborating centres, the security provided by the digital traceability systems makes the recipients of shipments choose Ovobank over other gamete banks.
