Cryopreservation is the freezing of biological matter to preserve it for future use, and is utilized as a method of fertility preservation. It involves cooling and storing of Sperms, Eggs and Embryos at very low temperatures to maintain their viability.

A woman’s eggs, a man’s sperm, or a fertilized embryo are all capable of being cryopreserved. When the woman or couple is ready, the eggs or the embryo, as the case may be, are thawed (Warmed)fertilized, and transferred to the uterus.

This procedure allows an individual or a couple to protect their biological reproductive material at a time it is healthiest, before age or health conditions decrease their quality or quantity. Once the materials are preserved, they may be used in future in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to achieve a pregnancy.

Scientifically theses eggs and embryos can be frozen for multiple years without any detrimental effect on them. However, the ICMR guidelines suggest that they can be frozen for up to 5 years.