Cryobank

WHAT IS A GAMETE?

It is the name given to our reproductive cells; in the male it is the spermatozoid and in the female it is the ovum.

WHAT IS CRYOPRESERVATION OF GAMETES?

It is the processing, freezing and storage of the spermatozoa and ova in liquid nitrogen for long period for later use, be it months or years after the fact, when the owners decide to reproduce or start a family.

WHO SHOULD FREEZE THEIR GAMETES?

Men and women with cancer, before any chemo or radiotherapy that might damage their testicles and ovaries permanently; single women before their 37 years of age so as to have young ova available and hence increase their chances of reproduction after 40 years age.

HOW ARE THE GAMETES USED AFTERWARDS?

After a thawing process and cleansing of the cryopreservative, they will be used in procedures such as:

It is important to know that the quality of the gametes and their survival following the thawing varies from patient to patient; if we have good quality and survival the gametes are apt for any of the above mentioned procedures whereas ,should the quality and survival be less than optimal, the gametes will only be fit for use in In Vitro - ICSI fertilization.

Due to governmental regulations Centro Fecundar Costa Rica only conducts Sperm freezing. The freezing or vitrification of the ova is conducted at Centro Fecundar Panama.

WHAT IS EMBRYO FREEZING?

It is the freezing by way of vitrification in liquid nitrogen at an early stage of fecundity of the ovum (about 4 to 8 cells on average). This is only conducted at our lab in Panama. The freezing of embryos allows a minimal transfer (2-3 embryos) per cycle without the need to submit the couple to the entire medical process and costs associated to IVF again. The vitrification system we employ inhibits the formation of crystals and improves embryo survival after thawing.

PRICING COSTS

Sperm freezing $250 per sample. 5 samples $1000

Ova freezing $1800. Includes all ova obtained.

Embryo freezing $700. Includes all embryos obtained.