Embryo Cryopreservation: What do couples think about it?

TL;DR

This study explores how infertile couples feel about freezing extra embryos during fertility treatments.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into couples' attitudes toward embryo cryopreservation and donation.

Findings

Most couples support freezing surplus embryos to improve pregnancy chances.

About 40% might consider donating embryos for treatment, but few for research.

Educated women are more likely to support embryo donation for research.

Abstract

To investigate the perspectives of infertile couples regarding embryo
cryopreservation throughout assisted reproduction treatment.

The convenience sample included infertile couples undergoing assisted
reproduction treatment. They responded to a questionnaire specifically
designed to gauge views and opinions on cryopreservation of surplus embryos.
Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, employing the Mann-Whitney U
and Fisher’s exact tests (p<0.05).

The study included 187 couples, with average ages of 35 years for women and
38 years for men. A total of 182 couples (97.3%) agreed with the practice of
freezing surplus embryos and, the desire to increase the odds of pregnancy
within the same ovarian stimulation cycle was the main motivation (89%).
Almost 40% of participants said they might consider embryo donation to other
couples for assisted reproductive treatment. However, less than 20% of
volunteers (15.38% of women and 12.08% of men) expressed the desire to
donate for research purposes. Women with higher levels of education were
significantly (p<0.05) more likely to support the
donation of surplus embryos for research. Gender, religion, and education
did not influence (p>0.05) the respondents’ perspectives
regarding the beginning of life and posthumous conception.

Embryo cryopreservation provides infertile couples with hope however, the
fate of surplus embryos remains controversial. A careful approach with
appropriate regulation is necessary to ensure safe and ethical
practices.

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