Embryo freezing
Embryo cryopreservation is a method used to preserve embryos by cooling and storing them at low temperatures. They can then be thawed at a future date and transferred to the uterus, providing additional opportunity for achieving a pregnancy.

Worldwide, cryopreservation of human embryos has been shown to be a successful procedure and there are no reports of increased birth defects in pregnancies achieved through this process.

Successful freezing of human embryos has been achieved for many years using a ‘slow’ method. However, recent data have indicated that an ‘ultra-rapid’ approach can enhance further embryo survival and pregnancy rates. The UIC IVF laboratory has been using ultra-rapid freezing (vitrification) since May 2009 with great success and will continue to assess any future advances in the area of embryo freezing to provide the best service to our patients.

University of Illinois Center for IVF & Fertility Laboratory
Nicola Winston, PhD, HCLD
IVF Laboratory Director
Address: 1801 West Taylor Street, Suite 4A
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 996.1773
Fax : (312) 355.3161


Sperm freezing
Our Andrology Laboratory offers a patient (or Client Depositor) Sperm Bank service for long-term storage of an individual’s sperm for reasons such as reduction in fertility potential, prior to chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy for male oncology, or prior to vasectomy.  The Patient Sperm Bank is also used to store sperm extracted from the testes in the operating room, a procedure referred to as TESE (testicular sperm extraction).  Sperm from a TESE procedure can be stored short-term or long-term for subsequent use with the ICSI-IVF procedure for pregnancy attempts. Please click here for more information regarding the UIC Andrology Laboratory. 

University of Illinois Andrology Laboratory
Address: 1801 West Taylor Street, Suite 4A
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 996. 7713
Fax: (312) 996. 1291