# 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.

## Key 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.