NEWS & KNOWLEDGE

Oocyte Freezing

Currently, Thai society tends to marry at an increasingly old age. As you know, age has a direct effect on egg quality. As shown in the graph in Figure 1, it can be seen that the age in the reproductive period is 25-29 years, after which it gradually decreases, especially when the age is over 35 years, which is the origin of the recommendation for egg freezing. That should be done before the age of 35 years in order to stop the age of the eggs equal to the age when the eggs were kept not increasing according to their actual age.

Picture 1 shows the relationship between age range and fertility percentage.

In addition, the eggs of women over 35 years old, when mixed with sperm, are more likely to produce embryos with chromosomal abnormalities. As shown in picture 2

Picture 2 shows the relationship between maternal age and the percentage of births with Down syndrome.

And because a woman's egg production stops in the mother's womb, with the highest amount during the gestational age of 7 months, after which the amount gradually decreases with increasing age, which is why should we freeze eggs to keep them when they are young? as shown in picture 3

Picture 3 shows the relationship between egg production and a woman's age (Puberty).

The egg-freezing process must be injected with egg-stimulating injections like in vitro fertilization in order to obtain enough eggs. After the eggs grow to size, they are removed from the body. and frozen without fertilization process with sperm The freezing method is the same as embryo freezing, the difference is that the solution used. However, the durability of frozen eggs is less than that of embryos. When the frozen eggs are thawed for fertilization, the number of eggs maybe 80% of the total frozen eggs.

Indications for egg freezing

1. Egg freezing for the purpose of future fertilization with the legitimate husband's sperm.
2. Freezing one's own eggs in cases where a certain type of cancer is detected and there is a plan to continue treatment with chemotherapy/radiation or surgery which results in the failure of ovarian function. or treatment for other diseases where the treatment process results in a decrease in the quality or quantity of eggs in the future.

By Assoc.Prof. Matchuporn Sukprasert