Embryo freezing

Results of frozen-thawed embryo transfer

In most IVF clinics, the transfer of frozen embryo result in a lower pregnancy and live birth rates than fresh embryo transfer. The risk of multiple pregnancy is also lower. In some IVF clinics, the pregnancy and live birth rates after transfer of frozen embryos compared favorably with that achieved after fresh embryo transfer. The live birth rate per embryo transfer cycle varied between 29.2% and 3.8% (HFEA 2000 Patient's Guide).

The success rates depend on many factors; mainly the woman’s age and number of embryos transferred. The outcome of pregnancies resulted from frozen embryo transfer is similar to fresh embryo transfer in the incidence of biochemical pregnancy, blighted ovum, early and late miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, preterm deliveries and term deliveries.

To date there is no evidence that babies born after frozen embryo transfer have any increased incidence of congenital abnormality.

Ethical and moral issues related to human embryo freezing

There are several ethical and moral issues surrounding  the embryo freezing process. These include the following:

• Fate of the stored embryos on the death of couple 'orphaned' embryos.
• Ownership of the embryos if the couple divorce.
• Safety of embryo freezing.
• Concern that the length of time embryos have been kept in storage might have a detrimental effect on the outcome of frozen embryo transfer and possible increase in fetal abnormalities. However, no long-term studies have been carried out since the age of the oldest child born as a result of frozen embryo transfer is only 14 years. In addition, there is no evidence that extended storage is detrimental to the outcome of treatment.

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