Cryopreservation is the technique of storing or freezing certain products such as embryos, sperm, and eggs for further IVF or other fertilization techniques.

An embryo is an egg fertilized with sperm, which has multiple cells. During infertility treatment, fertility drugs or hormones are given to the woman to stimulate the egg’s development. After a successful maturation embryo can be used for cryopreservation. More embryos may be developed after the retrieval and fertilization of eggs in the laboratory than the required quantity to be transferred into a woman’s womb. If these non-transferred embryos are enough in quantity, they can be stored through the cryopreservation method. These stored embryos may be further transferred when needed. Embryo cryopreservation provides the opportunity for future or additional embryo transfer. It replaces the inconvenience of an extra IVF cycle. Thawing is also a necessary step performed before reusing the stored tissues.