Inside the IVF lab: embryo cryopreservation

Embryo cryopreservation occurs in the course of a fresh IVF treatment cycle. In the case that there are embryos left over after the embryo transfer, patients have the choice to freeze their embryos. These embryos can be used at a later time through.

During the first part of the video you can see as an embryologist preps the embryo for cryopreservation using cryo-protectant, exchanging intercellular water molecules with CPAs (cryo-protectant agents). Then the embryo is frozen via a fast-freeze process known as vitrification.