Delayed embryo switch is a technique used throughout in vitro fertilization (IVF) through which fertilized embryos are frozen and transferred to the lady’s uterus later. Delay frozen embryo transfers have turn into extra well-liked because of developments in embryo freezing, together with the vitrification course of.

“Delaying embryo switch has many advantages, together with reducing the danger of being pregnant in recent embryo switch IVF cycles, enabling the uterus ambiance to return to regular after egg retrieval, and permitting genetic screening.”- Says Dr. Hrishikesh Pai who’s working with one of many greatest IVF centre in India.

A freeze all IVF cycle includes freezing all embryos produced in an IVF cycle for doable future use, which is known as delayed embryo switch.

What’s Delayed Frozen Embryo Switch?

Embryos produced in IVF could be transferred again into the lady’s uterus throughout the identical ovulation cycle through which her egg(s) have been retrieved and fertilized (roughly 5 days after fertilization) – known as a fresh-cycle embryo switch – or they are often frozen and transferred and implantation delayed till a later time – known as a delayed embryo switch.

In case of in vitro fertilization, the lady’s uterus can be below the affect of fertility medicine throughout fresh-cycle embryo transfers, leading to extra receptive ovaries and better estrogen ranges, all of that are detrimental to profitable embryo implantation.

Delaying embryo switch till the lady had begun a standard ovulation interval was beforehand not a alternative as a result of the freezing part for embryos resulted in much less viable embryos and better charges of embryo loss. Frozen embryo survival and success charges at the moment are practically equal to recent embryos, because of advances in vitrification (a flash-freezing method) and cryopreservation (freezing and storing).

Advantages of Delayed Frozen Embryo Switch 

Delayed frozen embryo switch, also referred to as the freeze all process, happens when a affected person freezes all embryos throughout the first cycle of IVF. It has following benefits-

• Permits the uterus situation to return to regular after IVF remedy, permitting for pure embryo implantation.
• Reduces the possibilities of preterm labour, preeclampsia, and low beginning weight in recent embryo switch IVF cycles.
• Permits for genetic testing, which improves the percentages of being pregnant and a protected beginning.
• Embryo freezing retains all viable embryos, making single embryo switch less complicated and considerably lowering the danger of a number of gestations (being pregnant with twins or extra) and the associated well being dangers.
• Reduces or eliminates the potential for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which is a danger throughout fresh-cycle embryo transfers, throughout the switch cycle.
• A number of transfers are less expensive than a number of recent IVF durations.

An embryo freed from genetic defects, the proper timing so the embryo is within the uterus inside the 8-10 day window of implantation after ovulation, and a uterus that’s optimally prepared to simply accept the embryo are all vital for profitable embryo implantation.

The necessity to transfer an embryo throughout the identical induced ovulation IVF interval when a lady’s eggs are harvested is eliminated when she has a frozen embryo. For the next elements, this further time, or delayed implantation, improves the possibilities of a wholesome being pregnant and beginning:

The uterus of the lady has time to get better from the consequences of IVF medicine, which promote egg improvement whereas altering the womb’s pure surroundings. These medicine have an effect on the endometrium, which is the uterine lining the place an embryo would implant.

Throughout her subsequent or future ovulation interval, the lady will return for delayed embryo transplantation. Her uterus will likely be freed from the unwanted side effects of IVF medicine and in a position to obtain and nurture the embryo.

Genetic testing to enhance the Possibilities of Success. 

Genetic screening can decide genetically viable embryos for implantation, and it may be achieved on each recent and frozen/thawed embryos. Any defect in an embryo’s genetic construction is a number one reason for implantation failure. This additionally removes the potential for a baby being born with a beginning defect or a genetic mutation that makes them susceptible to well being points.

Preimplantation genetic analysis (PGT-M) is a process that checks for a single genetic mutation and is usually used when one (or each) of the mother and father has a confirmed or suspected genetic defect which may be current of their household historical past. Preimplantation genetic screening (PGT-A) searches for quite a lot of genetic problems, together with Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and BRCA genetic defects, which place a mom and her youngsters in danger for ovarian and breast most cancers.

The dangers of transferring a frozen embryo 

IVF with delayed frozen embryo switch, like fresh-cycle IVF, carries the dangers of:

• Unwanted effects of fertility medicine
• Some issues of egg retrieval embrace ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and different ovarian hyperstimulation syndromes.
• Embryo shift recognizing, cramps, or ache
• If multiple embryo is inserted, it’s thought of a a number of being pregnant.

There’s an opportunity that an embryo will likely be destroyed and should be discarded throughout embryo freezing or thawing. Nevertheless, as acknowledged in the advantages part above, IVF with delayed frozen embryo switch reduces among the dangers related to fresh-cycle IVF.