Can I Freeze My Eggs for PGT Later in Thailand?

Understanding Egg Freezing and PGT

Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) is a method of fertility preservation where unfertilized eggs are retrieved, frozen, and stored for future use. Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is a technique used to screen embryos for genetic abnormalities before transfer. A common question is whether eggs can be frozen now and later thawed, fertilized, and tested with PGT. The short answer is yes, but there are important steps and limitations to understand.

How PGT Works: Embryo Biopsy Is Key

PGT requires a biopsy of cells from an embryo, not from an egg. This means that to perform PGT, your frozen eggs must first be thawed, fertilized with sperm (via ICSI), and cultured to the blastocyst stage (day 5 or 6). Only then can a few cells be removed for genetic analysis. Therefore, egg freezing alone does not allow PGT; the process must continue to embryo creation.

Types of PGT Relevant to Egg Freezing

• PGT-A (aneuploidy screening): Checks embryos for the correct number of chromosomes. This is the most common type used with frozen eggs, especially for women of advanced maternal age.
• PGT-M (monogenic disorders): Tests for specific single-gene conditions, such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease. Requires prior knowledge of the genetic mutation.
• PGT-SR (structural rearrangements): Detects chromosomal structural abnormalities like translocations. Less common but relevant for certain carriers.

What Egg Freezing Can and Cannot Do for PGT

What It Can Do

• Preserve your eggs at a younger age, potentially improving the chance of producing healthy embryos later.
• Allow you to undergo PGT on embryos created from those eggs at a future time.
• Provide flexibility if you are not ready to conceive now but want the option of genetic testing later.

What It Cannot Do

• Guarantee that any eggs will survive thawing, fertilize, or develop into embryos suitable for biopsy.
• Ensure that all embryos will be genetically normal; PGT results depend on the egg and sperm quality.
• Replace the need for sperm; PGT requires fertilization.

Steps to Plan Egg Freezing for Future PGT in Thailand

1. Consult a fertility specialist: Discuss your reasons for freezing eggs and your interest in future PGT. The doctor will evaluate your ovarian reserve and overall health.
2. Undergo ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval: This involves hormone injections to stimulate multiple follicles, followed by a minor surgical procedure to collect the eggs.
3. Freeze the eggs: Mature eggs are cryopreserved using vitrification, a rapid freezing method that offers high survival rates.
4. Store the eggs: Eggs are kept in liquid nitrogen at the clinic or a storage facility. Confirm storage policies and costs.
5. When ready, thaw and fertilize: Eggs are thawed, and viable ones are fertilized via ICSI. Not all eggs survive thawing.
6. Culture embryos to blastocyst: Fertilized eggs develop into embryos over 5–6 days. Only those reaching blastocyst stage can be biopsied.
7. Biopsy and PGT: A few cells are removed from the trophectoderm (future placenta) and sent for genetic analysis.
8. Transfer a healthy embryo: If PGT results show a chromosomally normal or unaffected embryo, it can be transferred to the uterus.

Important Considerations and Limitations

• Egg survival and fertilization rates: Not all frozen eggs survive thawing. Survival rates vary by clinic and technique. Fertilization rates also depend on egg and sperm quality.
• Embryo development: Only about 30–50% of fertilized eggs typically reach the blastocyst stage. This means you may need to freeze a sufficient number of eggs to have a reasonable chance of obtaining a PGT-screened embryo.
• PGT accuracy: PGT is highly accurate but not 100%. It can have false positives or negatives, and it cannot detect all genetic conditions.
• Costs: Egg freezing, storage, thawing, ICSI, embryo culture, biopsy, and PGT each involve separate fees. Confirm all costs with your clinic.
• Legal and ethical aspects: Thailand has regulations regarding embryo handling and genetic testing. Ensure the clinic follows local laws and ethical guidelines.
• Time frame: There is no set limit on how long eggs can be stored, but policies vary. Ask about maximum storage duration.

Questions to Ask Your Clinic

• What is your egg thaw survival rate?
• How many eggs do you recommend freezing to have a reasonable chance of a PGT-screened embryo?
• What are the costs for egg freezing, storage, and future PGT?
• Do you offer all types of PGT (PGT-A, PGT-M, PGT-SR)?
• What is the process for consent and legal documentation?
• How long can I store my eggs, and what happens if I no longer need them?

Alternatives to Egg Freezing for PGT

• Embryo freezing: If you have a partner or are using donor sperm, you can create embryos now and freeze them after PGT. This avoids the uncertainty of egg thaw survival.
• Ovarian tissue freezing: An experimental option for some medical conditions, but not typically used for PGT.
• Donor eggs: If your own eggs are not viable, donor eggs can be used with PGT.

Conclusion

Freezing your eggs for future PGT in Thailand is possible, but it requires careful planning and realistic expectations. The process involves multiple steps, and success depends on the number and quality of eggs frozen, as well as the expertise of the clinic. Consult with a fertility specialist to discuss your individual situation and develop a personalized plan. For more information, explore our PGT in Thailand guide, other guides, and FAQ section.

Frequently asked questions

Can I freeze my eggs and do PGT later?

Yes, but PGT requires embryos. Your frozen eggs must be thawed, fertilized with sperm, and cultured to the blastocyst stage before biopsy. Not all eggs survive thawing or develop into embryos suitable for testing.

How many eggs should I freeze for PGT?

The number depends on your age and ovarian reserve. Generally, freezing more eggs increases the chance of having at least one PGT-screened embryo. Your doctor can provide a personalized estimate.

Does PGT guarantee a healthy baby?

No. PGT screens for specific genetic abnormalities but cannot detect all conditions. It also does not eliminate the risk of miscarriage or other pregnancy complications.

Is egg freezing legal in Thailand?

Yes, egg freezing is legal in Thailand for medical and elective reasons. However, regulations may vary, so confirm with your clinic.

Continue your research

• PGT in Thailand overview
• PGT and IVF guides
• Frequently asked questions

Medical information notice: This article is educational and does not replace individual assessment, diagnosis, genetic counselling or treatment advice from a licensed clinician. Provider services, availability, fees and policies should be verified directly before booking.