What Is Oocytes? Oocyte Vitrification Treatment & Egg Donation Centre
Oocytes (Egg Cells) are female gametes – the female cells which have the potential to conceive another human being if fertilized by a male gamete (i.e., sperm, known scientifically as spermatozoon). Each female is born with a finite number of oocytes in her ovaries. She does not produce any more eggs throughout her life. The eggs are released periodically during the woman’s reproductive years, through the natural process of ovulation. Each time a woman ovulates (i.e., has a menstrual cycle), a single egg is released from the ovaries, once it has matured to the point that it is ready for fertilization. It will then enter into the fallopian tubes, where if get in contact with Sperm, it may be fertilized, and it will form a pregnancy. If the egg not fertilized, it will continue moving through the fallopian tubes and leave the body via the vagina.
What is Oocyte Vitrification?
Oocyte Vitrification is one of the techniques used for maintaining the existing state of fertility. It allows a woman’s reproductive capacity to be postponed for longer period of time, with the same possibilities as at the point when the oocytes are vitrified. With the vitrification of oocytes, women can reach middle age without experiencing any significant decrease in their ability to conceive a child in the future.
Egg freezing, also known as mature oocyte cryopreservation, is a method used to preserve a woman’s reproductive potential.
Eggs are harvested from your ovaries, frozen unfertilized and stored for later use. A frozen egg can be thawed, combined with sperm in a lab and implanted in your uterus (in vitro fertilization). However, only a small portion of eggs that are frozen, thawed and implanted result in the birth of a baby.
Your doctor can help you understand how egg freezing works, the potential risks and whether this method of fertility preservation is right for you.