What is cryopreservation and how does it work in an IVF laboratory?

What is cryopreservation?

Cryopreservation is the process of cooling and storing biological material at ultra-low temperatures to halt all biological activity and preserve viability indefinitely. In an IVF laboratory, cryopreservation is used to store embryos, oocytes, and sperm at temperatures below approximately -130 degrees Celsius, the point at which biological time effectively stops.

What methods are used in IVF cryopreservation?

Modern IVF labs use either vitrification, an ultra-rapid cooling technique that achieves cooling rates in excess of 10,000 degrees Celsius per minute, or controlled rate freezing using a programmable rate freezer such as the CBS DigitCool.

What equipment does Cryolab supply for cryopreservation?

Cryolab supplies a full range of cryopreservation equipment to UK IVF clinics, including CBS vitrification kits, CryoNest dewars, and the CBS DigitCool controlled rate freezer. Visit cryolab.co.uk/shop/ to view the full range.