Viability of Frozen Blastocysts

[TeresaL]

Our Blastocysts have been cryopreserved for over 11 years. How long can an embryo be frozen and still be viable? Has research found any complications with the development of the fetus or baby after it is born?

[reg.finger]

There is no known limit to the length of time an embryo (cleavage stage or blastocyst) can remain frozen. The likelihood that it will survive thawing is dependent on the embryo's quality before it was frozen, and the technique of freezing when it was frozen, and the technique of thawing. If those factors are positive, there is no reason why your blastocysts should not be viable.

There is a slightly higher incidence of birth defects with in vitro pregnancies compared to natural -- but these are suspected to be due to the condition causing infertility in the first place, rather than to the IVF procedure itself. A large study in Europe presented last year showed that babies born from frozen embryos have no increased rate of defects compared to those born from fresh embryo transfers.

Reg Finger, MD, MPH

[TeresaL]

Thank you for the reply. It is a concern of ours. We know we are not going to have more children, but worry what to do with the Blastocysts. According to the Embryologist, they were of great quality; so good we transferred one and got one baby. I was the first patient that this facility had done this with. My concern for the development of the children is that our son has moderate ADHD. I can't say it does not run in the family, but wonder if the IVF did not contribute. As far as infertility; I had a tubal ligation at the age of 23 when I thought I was in a stable marriage and was finished having kids. 6 years later, I remarried and it was a tubal problem, not a fertility problem. I was luckier than most. Thus we think we want to share with others, but it has been so long now and don't know if it will help others or not.
Again, thank you. Your answer opened up another line of research for me.