Abstract
During the past decade, cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos has become one of the most exciting areas in human-assisted reproduction. Improvement of the old techniques and introduction of alternative procedures have radically increased the overall efficiency and extended applicability. In parallel, the development of other laboratory techniques (embryo culture and preimplantation diagnostics) as well as medical, social, legal and cultural demands required the rapid and widespread exploitation of the new possibilities. This review summarizes the main features of the technical development, including both achievements and controversies, and outlines the emerging assisted reproductive technique strategies based partially or predominantly on cryopreservation. Application of these new achievements may substantially modify our approach in many fields and increase the overall efficiency of infertility or fertility preservation treatments.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
G Vajta is the owner of a company producing vitrification tools and provides consultant service for vitrification techniques. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.