A couple in the United States has welcomed a healthy baby boy born from a donated embryo that was frozen for more than 30 years—now the oldest known frozen embryo to result in a live birth.
The embryo was created through IVF in 1994. After having a child herself, the donor mother chose long-term storage rather than discarding or donating her remaining embryos for research. Decades later, one of those embryos was adopted by another couple and successfully transferred, resulting in this historic birth.
The case highlights an important option within assisted reproduction: embryo donation (also referred to as adoption) – offering a potential pathway to parenthood for patients who cannot create embryos with their own eggs and sperm.
Luciano Nardo, NOW-fertility Consultant in Reproductive Medicine & Infertility, commented “The case also demonstrates the effectiveness of cryopreservation techniques within quality-controlled laboratories, proving that embryos can remain viable and implant successfully even after decades in storage. Of note, whilst recent data clearly shows that the live birth rate of frozen embryo transfers is comparable to that of fresh embryo transfers, however the embryo quality and the endometrial preparation are crucial factors.”
NOW-fertility offers embryo donation (adoption) at clinics within the global network, in Spain and Poland. To determine the suitability of patients to embryo donation treatment and to ensure maternal and neonatal safety, a consultation with a reproductive medicine specialist and a physical assessment by a maternal-fetal medicine specialist are warranted.
To find out more about the availability of embryo donation or request a consultation with one of our specialists, please contact enquiries@now-fertility.com or WhatsApp on +41 79 884 0734.
Published by NOW-fertility’s Communication Department.
Communication Manager: Annette Eckersley
E: annetteeckersley@now-fertility.com
This information was correct at the time of publishing and may not reflect our current practices, prices or regulations.
