Course / Factors That Impact Success
Fertility preservation outcomes depend on a range of biological, clinical, and procedural variables. While modern techniques like vitrification have made egg and embryo freezing remarkably successful, ultimate success rates vary significantly between individuals.
As fertility experts, we evaluate three primary determinants that influence the likelihood of achieving a live birth from preserved gametes or embryos: the patient’s age at preservation, the number and quality of eggs or embryos frozen, and the expertise of the fertility clinic performing the procedure.
The Most Critical Determinant
Age remains the single most powerful predictor of fertility preservation success. Female reproductive potential declines progressively beginning in the early 30s, and more sharply after age 37. This decline reflects both reduced oocyte quantity (ovarian reserve) and decreased oocyte quality (chromosomal normality).
Under age 35:
Eggs typically have >90% survival after thaw, with high fertilization and implantation potential.
Ages 35–38:
Moderate reduction in quality; embryos show higher aneuploidy rates, reducing live birth probabilities.
Over age 40:
Fewer eggs retrieved and lower success rates due to increased chromosomal abnormalities.
Why Age Matters Biologically
Female gametes are formed before birth and age alongside the individual. Mitochondrial degradation, spindle apparatus instability, and chromosomal segregation errors accumulate over time.
By contrast, male sperm production continues throughout life, though sperm DNA fragmentation may increase with age.
Clinical Implication
Whenever possible, fertility preservation should be performed before initiating cancer treatment and ideally at a younger age to maximize long-term reproductive potential.
At Surrogacy4All, we educate oncology teams and patients about the importance of early referral to fertility specialists immediately after diagnosis.
Quantity Correlates with Live Birth Potential
The number of mature (metaphase II) oocytes frozen is a major determinant of success, as not all eggs will survive thawing, fertilize, or develop into viable embryos.
Clinical data show approximate probabilities for achieving at least one live birth per cohort size:
| Age Range | Mature Eggs Needed for One Live Birth (Average) |
|---|---|
| <35 years | 8–10 eggs |
| 35–37 years | 12–15 eggs |
| 38–40 years | 20+ eggs |
| >40 years | 30+ eggs (or multiple cycles often needed) |
Quality vs. Quantity
While quantity is essential, quality supersedes number. Cryopreserving a moderate number of high-quality eggs from a younger patient often yields better results than large quantities from an older patient.
Embryo Freezing Advantage
If a partner’s or donor’s sperm is available, converting eggs into embryos prior to freezing can improve predictive accuracy. Embryos provide clearer information about developmental potential and chromosomal integrity when combined with Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT-A).
Cycle Planning
Cancer treatment timelines often limit the opportunity for multiple stimulation cycles. In urgent cases, fertility specialists may use random-start ovarian stimulation protocols, enabling egg retrieval within 10–14 days regardless of menstrual cycle phase.
Variation in Clinical and Laboratory Expertise
Fertility preservation outcomes vary considerably between clinics based on technology, laboratory standards, and embryologist expertise.
Clinics performing high volumes of cryopreservation cycles typically report superior survival and fertilization rates.
Key performance indicators to evaluate include:
Survival rate of thawed oocytes (>90% with vitrification)
Fertilization rate (70–80% when thawed eggs are used in ICSI)
Embryo development rate (blastocyst formation ≥50%)
Laboratory accreditation (CAP, CLIA, or equivalent)
Experience in oncofertility-specific cases
Technical Excellence in Vitrification
The vitrification process is highly operator-dependent. Success relies on:
Rapid cooling rates to prevent intracellular ice formation
Precise handling time during exposure to cryoprotectants
Maintenance of cryogenic temperature integrity during storage and transfer
Even minor deviations in these variables can influence post-thaw viability.
Choosing the Right Partner Clinic
At Surrogacy4All, we collaborate exclusively with accredited reproductive centers across the U.S. that meet or exceed ASRM and SART standards.
Our referral network prioritizes:
Proven laboratory success rates
Transparent reporting
Rigorous quality assurance
Experience with time-sensitive oncology cases
This ensures every patient receives care from top-performing facilities capable of executing complex preservation protocols efficiently and safely.
Our job is to listen, to connect the dots between your needs, and to determine how we can best help you have your baby. If you’re asking how much does it cost for a surrogate, we’ll walk you through every step of the process to ensure there are no surprises.
To make an appointment with one of our counselors or physicians, please call (212) 661-7673 or email info@surrogacy4all.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
Surrogacy4All is a unique international surrogacy service targeted at providing state of the art IVF and surrogacy services to Intended Parents irrespective of age, sex or color, at the lowest possible cost in the world.
Secret Guide to Minimizing Surrogacy Costs
All Rights Reserved to Surrogacy4all