Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Embryo Freezing

Cryopreservation, also known as "embryo freezing," involves storing embryos at a very low temperature so that they can be thawed and used later. Many fertility clinics now offer this procedure.

Cryopreservation is often done when there are more embryos than needed for a single in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. The extra embryos are saved and potentially used during later cycles.

IVF success rates are generally lower with frozen embryos than with freshly fertilized embryos, but pregnancy rates with frozen embryos have been improving in recent years. The survival rate after thawing often depends on the quality of the embryos at the time of freezing.

Egg and ovarian tissue freezing

Egg and ovarian tissue freezing are experimental techniques being investigated for fertility preservation in women. They have the potential to be especially helpful for women with cancer, since chemotherapy and radiation treatment often have a harmful effect on fertility.

  • In egg freezing, a woman's mature eggs are developed and removed using standard IVF techniques. They are then frozen before being fertilized with sperm so that they can potentially be thawed, fertilized and transferred back into the woman's uterus later.
  • In ovarian tissue freezing, the ovary or ovaries are removed laparoscopically, divided into small strips, then frozen and stored. Later, they may be thawed for potential transplantation back into a woman's body, or for use with in vitro maturation, an investigational technique in which eggs are matured in the laboratory, rather than in a woman's body.

Remember: Both egg and ovarian tissue freezing are experimental techniques. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has recommended that these techniques be studied further before they are widely used.

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Important Considerations:
Gonal-f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) is indicated for the induction of ovulation and pregnancy in the oligo-anovulatory infertile patient in whom the cause of infertility is functional and not due to primary ovarian failure. Gonal-f® RFF Pen is also indicated for the development of multiple follicles in the ovulatory patient participating in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program. Gonal-f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) should only be prescribed by physicians specializing in fertility or reproductive health. Gonal-f® is a potent gonadotropic substance capable of causing mild to severe adverse reactions, including Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) in women with or without pulmonary or vascular complications, and multiple births. Gonal-f® is contraindicated in women who exhibit prior hypersensitivity to FSH preparations, primary gonadal failure, uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction and pregnancy. Nursing women should not use Gonal-f®. Common side effects include headache, abdominal pain, enlarged abdomen, and injection site disorders. For complete product details, see full prescribing information.

Important Considerations:
Women: Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) is indicated for the induction of ovulation and pregnancy in the anovulatory infertile patient in whom the cause of infertility is functional and not due to primary ovarian failure. Gonal-f® is also indicated for the development of multiple follicles in the ovulatory patient participating in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program.
Men: Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) is indicated for the induction of spermatogenesis in men with primary and secondary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in whom the cause of infertility is not due to primary testicular failure. Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) should only be prescribed by physicians who are thoroughly familiar with infertility problems and their management. Gonal-f® is a potent gonadotropic substance capable of causing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) in women with or without pulmonary or vascular complications. Gonal-f® is contraindicated in women and men who exhibit prior hypersensitivity to recombinant FSH preparations or one of their excipients, high levels of FSH indicating primary gonadal failure, uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction, sex hormone dependent tumors of the reproductive tract and accessory organs, and an organic intracranial lesion such as a pituitary tumor; and in women who exhibit abnormal uterine bleeding of undetermined origin, ovarian cyst or enlargement of undetermined origin and pregnancy. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Gonal-f®. The most common side effects in patients using Gonal-f® include headache, ovarian cysts, nausea and upper respiratory infections in women and in men, acne, breast pain and growth, and fatigue. Injection site reactions were also reported. Reports of multiple births have been associated with Gonal-f® treatment. For complete product details, see the full prescribing information.

For complete product details, please read the Prescribing Information offered below.


© EMD Serono, Inc. CIM Last Update 2008-09-16
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