F O R   P A T I E N T S – other services
Depending on your situation, CRE offers many other services that may be used with IVF-ET and GIFT. These services include donor egg and sperm programs; Embryo Cryopreservation; Micromanipulation; and Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration.

Donor Egg Program:
The use of donor eggs is an alternative for women with the following conditions:

• premature ovarian failure;
• genetic abnormalities that may be passed on;
• prior surgery, radiation or chemotherapy;
• repeated failure of IVF;
• unexplained and repeated miscarriages; and/or
• advanced reproductive age.

Egg donors are women who have volunteered to donate eggs to infertile women. Donors are under age 35, have no history of infertility, no significant medical problems, and no family history of hereditary disorders.

Donor Sperm Program:
The use of donor sperm is an alternative for couples when the husband has an untreatable reason for having no viable sperm. Single women may also choose this option. We use sperm banks certified by the American Society of Tissue Banks.

Embryo Cryopreservation:
When our patients undergo IVF, we carefully determine the optimal number of embryos for transfer. We choose quality to ensure the maximum chance of pregnancy and the lowest risk of multiple births. A process called Cryopreservation can freeze any remaining embryos. Thawed embryos can be transferred at a later date. More than two-thirds of embryos usually survive this process.
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Benefits of Embryo Cryopreservation

• Improves success rates and lowers the cost of ART.
• Eliminates the need to repeat ovarian stimulation, egg recovery and fertilization.
• Can be transferred during a normal ovulatory cycle.

To view diagrams of this procedure, click here.

Micromanipulation:
This procedure uses microscopic instruments to enhance the chances of egg fertilization or implantation of the embryo. This is used on patients who have a low sperm count, non-moving sperm or abnormally shaped sperm. There are two approaches:

• Intracytoplasmic sperm Injection (ICSI):This is done in the laboratory. It involves injecting a single sperm into an egg so that the sperm doesn't have to swim through the reproductive tract to reach and penetrate the egg.
• Assisted hatching:This involves thinning the outer covering of the embryo so that it can expand and implant in the uterine lining.

Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA):
This outpatient procedure involves extracting sperm from the epididymis, where developing sperm are stored. This is used for congenital problems, a vasectomy, neurological problems or inability to ejaculate. These sperm can be used in IVF-ET procedures. The sperm are put in direct contact with the egg or are injected into the egg using ICSI.
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