Embryo cryopreservation
Embryo Cryopreservation
Embryo cryopreservation (pronounced: em-bree-o kry-o-pres-er-vay-shun) is a medical procedure that involves the freezing and storage of human embryos. This process is commonly used in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Etymology
The term "embryo cryopreservation" is derived from the Greek words "embryon" (meaning young one) and "kryos" (meaning cold) and the Latin word "praeservare" (meaning to keep or preserve).
Procedure
Embryo cryopreservation involves several steps. First, the embryos are created through IVF. Then, they are cooled to a very low temperature, typically -196 degrees Celsius, using a process called vitrification. This process prevents the formation of ice crystals, which could damage the embryos. The embryos are then stored in liquid nitrogen until they are needed for future use.
Use
Embryo cryopreservation is used in several situations. It is often used in IVF treatments when there are more embryos than can be safely transferred to the woman's uterus. The extra embryos can be cryopreserved for future use. It is also used when a woman needs to delay pregnancy for medical reasons, such as before undergoing cancer treatment.
Related Terms
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Embryo cryopreservation
- Wikipedia's article - Embryo cryopreservation
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski