The Fertility Center of California (FCC)-through Family Fertility CryoBank (FFCB)-offers long-term storage for embryos and eggs at our San Diego facility. An embryo is defined as an egg that has been fertilized with sperm, becoming a multicellular organism. Once the embryo has matured to a certain level it can be cryopreserved (frozen) and stored at sub-zero temperatures for future use. Oocyte Cryopreservation – Oocyte (egg) freezing is the cryopreservation (freezing) of female eggs that have been retrieved directly from a woman’s ovaries. Frozen embryos and eggs can be thawed years later and used in fertility treatments such as IVF.

At the Fertility Center of California/Family Fertility CryoBank, we urge you to consider us for frozen embryo and egg storage. As one of the first cryopreservation centers on the West Coast, we have extensive experience with fertility preservation, having provided safe and secure long-term storage for over 25 years, earning the trust and respect of those in the Southern California region and beyond.

Patients who choose FCC/FFCB must complete an embryo and/or egg storage contract, which specifically defines the terms of storage and costs involved. This way, everyone is on the same page. Please note that FCC does not engage in the egg freezing processing at this time. However, we do offer long-term egg storage services once the eggs are frozen.

Reasons to Cryopreserve Embryos & Eggs

Many couples have embryos and/or eggs remaining after IVF treatment. Most couples prefer not to discard this precious reproductive tissue. Often times, when IVF is successful and a pregnancy is achieved, the couple may be ready for a second child just a few years later. The cryopreserved embryos or eggs can be thawed out at a later date and used for in vitro fertilization. The results are slightly lower than with fresh specimens, but embryo and egg freezing offers couples the chance of getting pregnant more than once from one cycle of ovarian stimulation. Thousands of children have been conceived from frozen embryos in Southern California alone.

Egg (oocyte) storage is also a useful tool for women that are approaching advanced reproductive age or have medical conditions such as cancer that may affect fertility. Storing frozen eggs gives women the opportunity to preserve their fertility until they are ready to grow their family. New advancements in egg freezing technology has made more pregnancies by frozen eggs possible than ever before. If a female is diagnosed with cancer before reaching puberty, it is possible to freeze and store ovarian tissues for use in the future.

IMPORTANT: California Law requires that lab testing will be completed prior to embryo storage. If both partners are involved in the procedure, lab testing for HIV I & II, HTLV I & II, Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Hepatitis C Virus and RPR is due on both parties. Testing must have been drawn within 6 months to be valid.

Secure Embryo & Egg Storage

Your embryos and eggs can be stored safely for as many years as you wish at the Fertility Center of California (through Family Fertility CryoBank). How is this possible? We use state-of-the-art technology including 100% vapor-phase storage techniques for your embryos and eggs. This technique eliminates any possibility of infectious disease transfer that might be possible with liquid phase tanks. In our laboratory the storage tanks are completely independent of electricity and are monitored around-the-clock to ensure the highest possible degree of safety. Your frozen embryos or eggs can be stored securely for years to come.

Transferring Embryos & Eggs to FCC/FFCB

Transferring embryos and eggs to our facilities is a secure, efficient and convenient process. The embryos and eggs are shipped in liquid nitrogen dry shipper tanks via approved and reliable services. These shippers are safe for transfer for at least 7 days but are sent within the U.S. using priority overnight delivery. You will receive confirmation that your embryos or eggs have arrived at our cryopreservation center. Services available at the Fertility Center of California/Family Fertility CryoBank include the shipment and storage of embryos and eggs with:

• Monthly and long-term storage options
• Competitive embryo and egg storage fees
• Direct contact with counselors regarding transfer and disposition of embryos and/or eggs
• Shipping storage systems which can handle multiple types of frozen specimens (vials, straws and pulls)

Please see our fee schedule for embryo and frozen egg storage. Storage fees are the same for patients storing both embryos or eggs. These fees are not dependent of the number of vials stored. If you have any questions, please contact us today.