Planned Oocyte Cryopreservation: Closing the Gap Between Promise and Yield
- Prof. Joyce Harper — Professor in Reproductive Science at UCL, Author, podcaster, academic, scientist and global public speaker, head of the Reproductive Science and Society group, founder of Global Women Connected and Director of the Embryology and PGD Academy, , co-founder and past chair of the International Reproductive Health Education Collaboration. Co-founder and co-lead of InTune, the UK menopause education and support programme.
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Planned oocyte cryopreservation, commonly known as elective egg freezing, offers an option for preserving reproductive potential and delaying childbearing. However, the number of oocytes retrieved does not directly translate into the likelihood of a future live birth. Outcomes depend on factors such as age at freezing, ovarian reserve, stimulation response, oocyte maturity, survival after thawing and subsequent embryo development. Understanding the gap between expected and actual oocyte yield is essential for realistic counselling. Individualised assessment, appropriate stimulation strategies and transparent discussion of success rates and limitations help clinicians support informed decision-making.