Vitrification – a promising method
Although vitrification is still a new technique and limited data has been published, the results reported so far look promising. One study on vitrification of human supernumerary blastocysts showed a survival rate of 80%1.
Problems with cryoinjuries...
The primary goal when freezing embryos is to achieve as high a survival rate as possible. To reach this goal, cryoinjuries must be prevented. Cryoinjuries are typically caused by both extra and intracellular ice crystal formation, toxicity of cryoprotectants, solute effects and osmotic chock.
...can be prevented by vitrification The problems with ice crystal formation during freezing can be prevented with vitrification, as the combination of an extremely fast cooling rate and high concentration of cryoprotectants prevents ice crystal formation. |
