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Significance Statement
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) published a joint guideline in 2013 declaring that oocyte cryopreservation “should no longer be considered experimental.” and many clinics around the world are using such techniques on daily basis. Recent study by New York’s Center for Human Reproduction showed that for each embryo transfer, live birth rates were 47% with the use of frozen oocytes and 56% with the use of fresh oocytes. This study need to be followed up by larger studies to consolidate the results.
Journal Reference
Kushnir VA, Barad DH, Albertini DF, Darmon SK, Gleicher N.
JAMA. 2015 Aug 11;314(6):623-4.
Center for Human Reproduction, New York, New York.
ABSTRACT
This study used data from the 2013 annual report of US in vitro fertilization center outcomes published by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology to compare live birth and cycle cancellation rates using either fresh or cryopreserved donor oocytes. Use of oocytes donated for in vitro fertilization (IVF) has increased in recent years. Donated fresh oocytes traditionally have been used immediately, creating embryos for transfer into the uterus, with extra embryos being cryopreserved for later use. In January 2013, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine declared the technique of oocyte cryopreservation (egg freezing) no longer experimental, although it called for “more widespread clinic-specific data on the safety and efficacy of oocyte cryopreservation … before universal donor oocyte banking can be recommended.