For almost a year, COVID-19 has modified, in one way or another, our day to day. The different professional sectors were not going to be less and they have also been affected. In our case, in March 2020 we were forced to close our clinics, thus halting the assisted reproduction treatments of our patients.
One of the pillars of IVI is the power to ‘control time’, this being something fundamental for many women when having a baby. In this sense, and given the situation we lived in a year ago, the embryos that were going to be implanted ‘fresh’ had to be vitrified, so that they could endure until the treatments could be resumed and that the transfer was safe. This raises many doubts about the quality of the vitrified embryos.
Safety of embryos vitrified by COVID-19
To answer these questions, no one better than Dr. Ana Cobo, Director of the Cryobiology Unit of IVI. Dr. Cobo led in 2008 a study on the vitrification of ovules, positioned since then as pioneering research worldwide. In addition, this study is one of the 25 most important works in the history of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). For this study, oocytes from the same woman were selected, half were vitrified and thawed after one hour. The other half were kept in the incubator. Once the time had elapsed and the oocytes were devitrified, they were all fertilized – the vitrified and the ‘fresh’ oocytes – at the same time and with the same semen. With this, it was possible to evaluate the development of the embryos generated thanks to the two types of oocytes under the same conditions. Fertilization, early division, and blastocyst development rates were compared.
“It was a pleasant surprise to see that the results obtained were similar in terms of these 3 parameters. This prompted us to start vitrifying donor oocytes with very encouraging results for the evolution of future egg banks “says Dr. Cobo.
We guarantee maximum safety in embryo vitrification
To guarantee the maximum safety of vitrified embryos for a long-term storage period, at IVI we have state-of-the-art cryogenic rooms. These rooms are equipped with liquid nitrogen self-feeding tanks. These tanks are equipped with continuous monitoring systems, which offer real-time information on the temperature of the gametes and embryos. In addition, they can issue a warning if anything unforeseen happens. “Therefore, I want to convey a message of reassurance to all patients who have their embryos vitrified and to those who will”adds the doctor.
Can vitrified embryos get COVID-19?
The incidence of COVID-19 in assisted reproduction treatments raises doubts as to the possibility of transmission through these processes. Regarding the possibility of virus transmission after the transfer of vitrified embryos, despite the fact that there is not extensive knowledge, At IVI we have experience with patients infected with other viruses, such as Hepatitis or HIV. In this sense, in 2012 an article was published in which the probabilities of contagion were analyzed after the transfer of embryos from patients infected with these viruses. The conclusion of the study was the probability is practically non-existent. The why, among many reasons, is found in technical aspects inherent to the vitrification and devitrification process. This would make it possible to eliminate viral particles, if present. Furthermore, it must be taken into account that there is little chance of finding viral particles in gametes and embryos.
“The level of biological containment necessary to work with samples from patients infected with these viruses, including COVID-19, is very high and IVI clinics are well prepared to offer patients the best guarantees and security on their way to motherhood. ”, explains Dr. Cobo.
Why is it important to vitrify embryos?
In addition to the comments regarding COVID-19, advances in vitrification have also made a difference in the reduction of multiple pregnancies. In other words, in addition to being able to preserve the fertilized embryos with the same quality, it also allows us to opt for the SET technique – single embryo transfer – so that the process is as similar as possible to natural conception.
We cannot overlook the importance of early oocyte vitrification. In this sense, 90% of the indications to preserve are for non-medical reasons. Dr. Cobo makes a recommendation: “The truth is that, currently, the cryopreservation of female gametes is an essential part of assisted reproduction. Given the high success rates achieved thanks to the optimization of this techniqueIt is important to encourage women and make them aware of the need to vitrify their eggs before the age of 35. From this age on, their fertility begins to decline and with it the chances of reproductive success ”.
In this sense, in the last 10 years the number of patients over 40 years of age that we have seen in IVI has increased by 74%. For this reason, this group of women have become one of the most relevant in reproductive medicine.
From IVI we want to transfer you the maximum tranquility and confidence regarding the vitrification of embryos. This technique is the safest solution, while guaranteeing the best results, when recommended by medical opinion.
