Question for Dr Carole - cell loss during thaw?

[luxelover]

Hi Dr, my long-awaited transfer is coming around soon and I am so very anxious about our XX embie surviving the thaw. A few recent cyclers at my clinic have experienced significant (30%+) cell loss after the thaw and I am worried that this is common? Is this just bad luck or does embryologist skill come onto it?

Thank you in advance.

[nuthinbutpink]

luxelover- you should look at their SART stats. It will make you feel better- https://www.sartcorsonline.com/rptCSR_PublicMultYear.aspx?ClinicPKID=2557

81% live birth rate for FETs is pretty solid.

[nicoler]

Hi luxe, I'm by no means Carole but did work as an embryologist in a couple different fertility clinics in my past life before becoming a SAHM.

Cell loss is pretty common after a thaw, especially if the embryo's quality wasn't perfect prior to freezing. Comparing thaws and resulting embryo quality from a few different people is really comparing apples to oranges. The embryos probably varied in quality to begin with so are likely going to come out of a freeze differently than another person's. I'd want my FET to be done at a clinic with an 81% live birth rate. That's pretty amazing.

Embryologist skill could come into it I suppose, but any reputable clinic is not going to allow an inexperienced embryologist lay their hands on someone's embryos unless they've demonstrated superb skill on "practise" mouse embryos over and over and over again. Also, most clinics keep stats on individual embryologists and track results after every procedure. Continual checks are done to ensure skill is consistent between individuals. Also, keep in mind that there can be a few embryologists handling your embryo(s) on thaw and transfer day alone. A thaw is a highly controlled and closely timed procedure. You can rest assured that the embryologist will likely be watching their timer like a hawk and doing everything possibly to get your embryo nice and plump and pretty again. Remember, those poor embryos have been through a lot to be able to sit unharmed in a tank of liquid nitrogen at -196 celcius!

[Carole]

Hi Dr, my long-awaited transfer is coming around soon and I am so very anxious about our XX embie surviving the thaw. A few recent cyclers at my clinic have experienced significant (30%+) cell loss after the thaw and I am worried that this is common? Is this just bad luck or does embryologist skill come onto it?

Thank you in advance.

Hi Luxelover,
30% cell loss is really high for vitrification. Are they using slow freeze protocols?- this is more what we saw in the bad old days before vitrification. With vitrification and warming procedures- and a good technician- little or no cell loss is what you should be able to expect. Yes, embryologist skill - or rather adequate training does come into it. Usually, patient embryos must meet certain criteria for freezing- either based on appearance or functional criteria - like progression to the expected embryo stage on time. So really poor quality embryos wouldn't be frozen at most labs. Maybe a follow-up call with the lab director/embryologist to discuss your concerns would be helpful. Good Luck! Carole