Surplus Embryos: What do we do?
One of the most common concerns our patients have during their first fertility consultation at URE Centro Gutenberg is what happens to the surplus embryos generated by Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).
In in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatments, the aim is to obtain as many embryos as possible in order to increase the chances of success of the cycle. As a result, we often find ourselves with a developing pregnancy and a number of surplus embryos, depending on how the cycle has gone.
Our experience tells us that we can freeze surplus embryos in between 20 and 30% of IVF treatments with own oocytes, and in between 40 and 50% of treatments with donated oocytes.
According to the Assisted Reproduction Law, the fate of cryopreserved embryos remaining from an IVF cycle is clear: they can be used in the future by the woman/couple themselves, they can be donated, either for reproductive purposes or to science, or they must be destroyed.
Use of embryos by the woman herself or her partner
This option is reserved for cases where the first attempt at the cycle fails, or so that in the future you can give your little one at home a little brother or sister
At this point, we would like to add an important detail, which is that a recent study confirms that women have the same chances of success in assisted reproduction treatments with fresh embryos as with frozen embryos.
Embryo donation for reproductive purposes
This second possibility arises when we encounter patients who, due to certain circumstances (single women, hereditary diseases, financial reasons, etc.), decide to resort to embryo adoption.
In this case, the woman/couple who decides to donate the surplus embryos must meet a series of mandatory requirements, which we detail here:
- The woman must be under 35 years of age at the time of egg retrieval or puncture.
- The man must be under 50 at the start of treatment.
- The couple must not be carriers of any hereditary diseases. It should be noted that the centre would be responsible for carrying out the corresponding genetic test.
- Serology updated from 6 months onwards after the cycle has been completed. This analysis would also be carried out by the centre.
Donation of embryos for research purposes
Another possible destination for cryopreserved embryos is altruistic donation to biomedical research, always in authorised centres and with authorised projects.
To do so, an additional consent form must be signed, attached to the specific research project. In this case, it should be noted that there are currently no projects that require the use of these embryos, as was the case a few years ago with the creation of stem cell banks, so they are stored in our banks awaiting use.
Destruction of embryos with no other purpose
This will be the final destination of cryopreserved embryos if you are unable to become pregnant again and do not wish to donate them. The impossibility of pregnancy must be demonstrated in accordance with the Assisted Reproduction Law. To do so, you must provide two medical reports from outside the fertility clinic, certifying that they advise against a new pregnancy due to physical or psychological risks.
The decision taken will be reflected in the in vitro fertilisation consent form that you will be given before starting assisted reproduction treatment, but it can be rectified later.
It is important to know that these embryos belong to you and your partner, and that the reproduction centre is simply responsible for storing them in banks in perfect conditions, with the maximum guarantees of identification, for as long as you decide.
If you are trying to conceive or undergoing assisted reproduction treatment, at URE Centro Gutenberg we recommend that you consult a fertility specialist. Contact us and make an appointment at URE Centro Gutenberg. We will be happy to help you.