LOCAL INFERTILITY PRACTICE HAS NORTHWEST FIRST

September 1, 2007

LOCAL INFERTILITY PRACTICE HAS NORTHWEST FIRST
Baby conceived via vitrified (quick frozen) eggs born  

Oregon Reproductive Medicine, formerly Portland Center for Reproductive Medicine, has achieved a regional first in the practice of Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART). A baby conceived in their laboratory through in vitro fertilization (IVF), using the mother’s eggs that were frozen via a quick-freeze process known as vitrification, was born July 10, 2007 at SW Washington area hospital. The baby girl weighed 5 pounds and 3 ounces. The new procedure has resulted in approximately 60 births worldwide in recent months. This baby is the first born in the Northwest using this technology. In the past frozen eggs haven’t been used successfully in IVF because the crystals that form during the freezing process causes permanent damage to the cells.  The freezing process of vitrification doesn’t produce ice crystals and leaves the cells intact and viable for fertilization. Although male fertility has been able to be preserved for years freezing sperm cells, female fertility hasn’t had the same longevity until now.  This technology will be of particular value to women undergoing treatment for cancer since the vitrification of their eggs will offer them options. Oregon Reproductive Medicine, who has among the highest pregnancy IVF success rates in the country, is conducting a pilot program using this new technology and hopes to offer this service to all of their female patients interested in preserving their fertility.   

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