HFEA to permit use of frozen eggs in fertility treatment

Date issued: 25 January 2000

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) today announced its decision to allow the Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre (ARCG) the carefully controlled use of frozen eggs in fertility treatment. This means for example, a woman who risks becoming infertile following cancer treatment, could use the eggs that she had removed and frozen.

The HFEA had previously allowed certain clinics to freeze and store human eggs. It has now decided to allow frozen eggs to be used in treatment as the most recent expert evidence has shown that the procedure is sufficiently safe.

An independent report commissioned by the HFEA by Dr Sharon Paynter stated:

"Whilst this technique is not without risk, recent results are very encouraging. Any patient wishing to undertake this option should be fully informed of the risks involved and the chances of success."

For women with partners facing infertility due to medical treatment the option with the most chance of success is to have embryos created and frozen for later use. However, where the patient is perhaps very young, or does not at present have a partner, that option is not available.

HFEA chairman Mrs Ruth Deech said:

"The HFEA has always been sympathetic to the plight of women suffering a serious illness, such as cancer, whose condition or treatment may prevent them producing eggs, but we must guard against any potential risks to any child who may be born. We can only make our decisions based on firm medical evidence. We are pleased that we now have that evidence giving hope to those women who could otherwise have been made infertile."

"Women should however be fully informed that this a new technique with a low success rate. We shall be monitoring its development very closely."

Notes to Editors

• The statutory storage period for gametes (eggs or sperm) is 10 years.
• Dr Sharon Paynter is a lecturer for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff. Her main research interests include the cryopreservation of human and mouse oocytes (eggs).
• Dr Paynter reported at least 28 live births and a number of continuing pregnancies
• A copy of Dr Paynter's full report is available on request.
• The HFEA committee members are: Julia Tugendhat, Sharmila Nebhrajani, Dr Sadia Muhammed, Professor Stuart Lewis and Dr Sue Avery.
• There are currently two clinics licensed to freeze human eggs The Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre (ARCG), London and Care at the Park Hospital, Nottingham.
• Another option open to similar women who are young or do not have partners is to remove and freeze sections of the ovary and either graft it back on later or mature the eggs in vitro. This is also a new and experimental technique and no births have been reported. As this procedure involves the storage of immature gametes it falls outside the remit of the HFEA.

Contacts

For furthur information please contact the HFEA press office.