The process of egg freezing by vitrification has developed as a clinical technique just in the last few years. Now a study in the March 2010 edition of the medical journal Fertility & Sterility shows that it is very effective way of preserving an otherwise fertile woman's fertility potential for the future.
Nineteen women agreed to have their eggs frozen for six months before warming, fertilization and transfer. Three hundred ninety-five eggs were warmed, of which 81.0% survived. Two hundred eighty-five eggs were microinjected for fertilization; 72.3% fertilized, and 53 embryos were transferred. Of the 20 transfers, 16 resulted in clinical pregnancy (80%), 3 miscarried (15%), and 13 (65%) went on to produce live births, respectively.
Egg freezing is an appropriate option for young women without partners who want to delay childbearing and for women needing to take medications or other treatments that can damage eggs such as chemotherapy for cancer. Reproductive Partners uses vitrification for egg freezing.