Oocyte Cryopreservation Program at the
Continuum Reproductive Center

Oocyte cryopreservation is a process by which a woman’s oocytes (eggs) are frozen for future use. A relatively new procedure, oocyte cryopreservation may allow many women to retain their reproductive potential for years to come. Later, when a woman is medically cleared and/or ready to achieve a pregnancy, in vitro fertilization of the oocytes can take place.

Candidates for oocyte cryopreservation are women in any circumstance that may decrease their ovarian potential in the future:

• Women with cancer who are preparing for chemotherapy, radiation treatment, or surgical removal of ovarian tissue;
• Those with medical conditions that may delay childbearing or impact ovarian reserve; and
• Those who choose to delay childbearing for personal reasons are all candidates.

However, since both oocyte quantity and quality markedly diminish during the late 30’s, it is preferable that women who are considering cryopreservation of oocytes do so before reaching 38 years of age.

Oocyte cryopreservation is still an experimental procedure.

Several studies have provided reassuring data regarding the efficacy and safety of this process. However, the probability that an in vitro fertilization cycle using cryopreserved oocytes will achieve a live birth is still to be determined. Cryopreserved oocytes have been used to achieve a live birth in our practice.

Oocyte cryopreservation at the Continuum Reproductive Center. Our clinical team of physicians, embryologists, and nurses are dedicated to helping women through the oocyte cryopreservation process. Our team will work as needed with a woman’s other physicians to allow her to complete the process as quickly and safely as possible.

• Once a woman is evaluated and found to be a good candidate for oocyte cryopreservation, injectable hormones are used for two to three weeks to stimulate ovarian oocyte development.
• Retrieval of the oocytes is then performed: The woman receives intravenous anesthesia before a needle is advanced through the walls of the vagina into the ovaries, and the oocytes are aspirated into sterile collection tubes.
• The oocytes are evaluated using highly specialized microscopes. The selected oocytes are then vitrified (rapidly frozen at very low temperatures) and stored.
• In the future, these oocytes can be thawed and fertilized in our state-of-the-art laboratory. Fertilized oocytes (embryos) can then be transferred to a woman’s uterus with the goal of conception.

To arrange an appointment or inquire about our services, please call the Continuum Reproductive Center (CRC) at 212-523-7751.

The CRC is located at 425 West 59th Street, Suite 5A, across from Roosevelt Hospital, 2 blocks from Columbus Circle.

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