Embryo vitrification: first Tunisian live birth following embryo vitrification and literature review

Abstract

Embryo cryopreservation is an essential tool in assisted reproduction. The option to freeze gametes and embryos provides unique possibilities for patients with various indications. After a review on some of the technical details of embryo freezing the idea of vitrification compared to slow freezing is discussed. It is recognized that the slow freezing technique is still overwhelmingly applied in most human in vitro fertilization (IVF) centers, but there is mounting evidence demonstrating the benefit of vitrification. Theoretical and practical examples are now sufficient to convince the embryologist that the time has arrived to switch to the vitrification technique. We report our experience that is the first Tunisian live birth following embryo vitrification at the blastocyst stage, collected at the military hospital of Tunis-Tunisia. A 29-year-old woman presented a primary infertility of 3 years of male origin. IVF with intra-cytoplasmic spermatozoid injection ICSI has been indicated. 7 blastocysts were obtained at fifth day. Two of them were replaced and ended in terminated pregnancy at 6AW. Vitrification method is a procedure which is to immerse the embryos directly into liquid nitrogen at -196 ° C. thereby achieving descents temperature of about -2000 ° C per minute within a secure glitter. The kit used in our laboratory is "irvine scientific" with glitter cryobiocystem. Six months later 2 blastocysts were devitrified in February 2012 and after replacement provided a normal progress pregnancy, delivery by caesarean section of a newborn male in good health.