How Long Can Frozen Eggs, Sperm, and Embryos Be Stored in the US? The Shocking Truth Revealed!

2023-12-17 20:08:47，visits： 319

For women who are about to embark on the journey of in vitro fertilization (IVF), the storage duration of frozen eggs, sperm, and embryos has always been a topic of great concern. Searching online yields a variety of answers, leaving individuals confused. Today, we have invited Dr. Nathan Zhang, an expert in the field of assisted reproduction, a medical doctor studying in the US, and the founder of IVF USA, to unveil some surprising truths about this journey to parenthood.

Dr. Nathan Zhang's Insights:

Regarding the storage time of eggs, sperm, and embryos, Dr. Nathan Zhang provides authoritative answers. He states that frozen sperm can be stored for over 20 years, while frozen embryos can be stored for approximately 10-15 years. As for frozen eggs, being a relatively new technology, the data available is insufficient, typically around 5 to 8 years.

Why Frozen Embryos are Preferable?

Dr. Nathan Zhang recommends, if there is a choice, it is best to freeze embryos. During the thawing process, eggs are relatively fragile and prone to be damaged. Despite advancements in freezing egg technology, it still does not match the stability offered by frozen embryos. In general, frozen embryos can be stored reliably for around 15 years.

Success Stories of Frozen Sperm:

Dr. Nathan Zhang shares a case of a cancer patient who froze sperm before undergoing chemotherapy and successfully conceived after 21 years of freezing. The child is now 6 years old. This underscores the viability of long-term storage of frozen sperm, especially for patients facing significant diseases requiring treatment.

Considerations for Women Over 38:

For women aged 38 and above, Dr. Nathan Zhang offers professional advice, discouraging the freezing of eggs. Currently, science cannot accurately determine the quality of eggs, and women over 38 have a chromosomal abnormality rate of over 70%. He suggests these women prioritize freezing embryos, utilizing PGS/NGS to assess embryo quality and enhance the success rate.

Evolution of Freezing Techniques:

In terms of freezing techniques, Dr. Nathan Zhang introduces the mainstream methods of slow freezing and vitrification freezing, with the latter having a higher success rate. He explains the minimal impact of freezing time on embryo quality, emphasizing the scarcity of data for freezing periods exceeding 5 years, and even more than 10 years.

When facing the diverse landscape of overseas IVF intermediaries, Dr. Nathan Zhang introduces the professionalism of IVF USA. Leveraging rich experience and data, IVF USA provides comprehensive concierge services in IVF and egg freezing in the US. Dr. Nathan Zhang's involvement throughout the process ensures the evaluation of physician and medical facility competence, providing personalized services. Currently, IVF USA extends its services to include egg freezing, IVF, and third-party assisted reproduction beyond the United States, covering regions such as Japan, Thailand, Mexico, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and more. Collaborating with top global IVF specialists, IVF USA delivers professional services to millions of families.