2025
Overview
Embryo cryopreservation is the process of freezing and storing embryos at very low temperatures so that they can be preserved and used in future fertility treatments. It is a central component of assisted reproductive technology, allowing embryos created during in vitro fertilization to be stored for later transfer, supporting fertility preservation for people undergoing medical treatments such as chemotherapy that may impair fertility, and enabling flexibility in the timing of treatment. Modern cryopreservation relies on techniques such as vitrification, an ultra-rapid freezing method that minimizes the formation of damaging ice crystals and has substantially improved embryo survival and pregnancy outcomes after thawing. The approach also underlies strategies that separate egg retrieval from embryo transfer, which can be used to improve safety in certain clinical situations within reproductive medicine. As a topic within embryology and reproductive science, embryo cryopreservation connects the biology of early development with the practical management of fertility care, raising both technical and ethical considerations regarding storage, consent, and the use of preserved embryos. This page presents an encyclopedic overview of embryo cryopreservation, its techniques, and its role in assisted reproduction and fertility preservation.
Research published in this journal
1 peer-reviewed article, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.