The effect of cryopreservation in developing and improving the assisted reproduction methods is becoming all the more significant, with around 1/5 of births originating from cryopreserved embryos.

Vitrification cryopreservation has become very popular in the last few years. Vitrification is the extremely fast freezing of eggs, embryos and, recently, sperm, which prevents the formation of intracellular ice crystals. Furthermore, it uses next-generation cryoprotectants, i.e. substances that protect the cells from damage that may be caused during the cryopreservation process. Fast cryopreservation, coupled with high concentrations of cryoprotectants, leads eggs and embryos into a vitreous phase. By avoiding the formation of intracellular ice crystals, the cryopreserved eggs and embryos are protected from potential damage during the thawing process. The procedure only lasts a few minutes.

The relatively high survival rate of frozen eggs during the thawing process has led to the general use of the vitrification method. Over the last few years, through oocyte vitrification, every woman has the chance to freeze her eggs, which can remain in cryopreservation for a long period of time, without any further effects on their quality, and be used later, when the woman so wishes.