Vitrification
A rapid freezing technique that cools eggs or embryos so quickly that ice crystals do not form, used in modern cryopreservation.
In plain English
It's the fast-freezing method used today to freeze eggs and embryos, avoiding the ice crystal damage that older slow-freezing methods risked.
Why it matters
It's why frozen embryo transfer success rates are now considered comparable to fresh transfers in many cases.
Related terms
Guides that cover this
Written by patients, not clinicians. This page has not yet been reviewed by a named fertility professional, so it explains published guidance and points you to the original source instead of giving medical advice. It is not medical advice. Decisions about your treatment belong with your own clinic. Read our editorial policy and corrections policy.