Increased Chances of Pregnancies With Frozen IVF Embryos

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a scientific process where egg is fertilized by sperm outside the human body in vitro. It is a landmark treatment for infertility patients.

Babies are a blessing, who knows better than an infertile couple.

A recent study has revealed that females seeking fertility treatment with frozen embryos have better possibilities of getting success in the form of being pregnant than those who resort to ‘fresh’ embryos.

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The researchers said that the study findings show a "major paradigm change" in scientifically assisted reproduction and could bring alteration in the existing policy of choosing fresh embryos to frozen embryos. Babies developing from frozen embryos are born well than that of fresh ones.

The scientists conducted a systematic review of about 37,000 IVF pregnancies that showed an important fact that there are less chances of bleeding in mothers and babies being born prematurely with low birth weight when the IVF embryos were frozen and stored in contrast to treatment with fresh embryos.

The research suggested that babies born as a consequence of frozen IVF had less chances of dying immediately after birth.

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“The review of 11 international studies also found that the death rate immediately before and after birth was lower in babies who were born as a result of transferring frozen-thawed embryos into the womb compared with the transfer of fresh IVF embryos.”

Dr. Abha Maheashwari, the lead researcher of the study and a professor at the University of Aberdeen mentioned, "If pregnancy rates are equal and outcome in pregnancies are better, our results question whether one should consider freezing all embryos and transferring them at a later date, rather than transferring fresh embryos."

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Dr. Maheshwari further added, "This represents a major paradigm change in assisted reproduction, and one which could satisfy the twin demands of optimizing safety and success. Traditionally it has been thought that fresh is always better and used as a first choice. Initially there were concerns about the safety of freezing techniques, and it was felt the quality of the embryo could deteriorate and impact on the health of the child. However, data to date has been reassuring."

Nowadays in most of the IVF centers, fresh embryos are usually preferred first and only surplus good-quality embryos are frozen and preserved for later use. Embryo freezing has become a popular technique, as single embryo transfer is preferred instead of much risky transfer of two or more embryos.

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Professor Alison Murdoch, the head of Newcastle Fertility Centre said that the findings of the study however did not justify alteration in the current policy. She stated, "The results of individual studies that are considered in this meta-analysis are already being discussed in clinics and it is of some concern that conclusions have been drawn, incorrectly, that we should routinely freeze all embryos and transfer them in a future menstrual cycle."

Mr. Peter Braude, a fertility specialist at King's College London mentioned that the study outcomes ‘were counter-intuitive since "second-best" embryos are usually selected for freezing, with the best being transferred immediately.’

Source-Medindia