Iavor K. Vladimirov

By Iavor K. Vladimirov, Desislava Tacheva and Vladislav Dobrinov

Embryo freezing technologies have widely been used in human IVF practice and in animal industry. In this chapter, we will review the development of embryo freezing technology and the application of the method, which will concentrate on discussion of the arguments in favor of and against freezing, as well as the latest results of success rates, comparing them with the other basic assisted reproductive technologies methods. Then, we will present our viewpoint for the future application of embryo freezing methods and their place in reproductive medicine. The analysis of facts and suggestions should enable researchers to rethink the position of cryobiology in reproductive medicine. It should be considered that the method of cryopreservation is not only a technology for storing embryos but also a method of embryo treatment that can potentially improve the success rates in infertile couples. There is also a theory that describes the “treatment” effect of freezing an embryo, which may explain the higher success rates of frozen embryo transfer (FET) compared to fresh embryo transfer (ET). The authors of the “Theory about the Embryo-Cryo treatment” believe that freezing and thawing could activate endogenous survival and repair mechanisms in preimplantation embryos.

Part of the book: Embryology

By Iavor K. Vladimirov and Martin Vladimirov

Part of the book: IVF Technologies and Infertility

By Antonio Díez-Juan and Iavor K. Vladimirov

The ovarian milieu, which includes increased vasculature, different growth factors, necessary hormone synthesis, and appropriate granulosa cell function, is essential for oocyte maturation. Keeping the microenvironment in a state of equilibrium is crucial for healthy ovarian function. However, as people age, their tissues rebuild less effectively, leading to an imbalance in the microenvironment’s homeostasis and ovarian fibrosis, which finally causes ovarian function to deteriorate. As a result, full restoration of ovarian microenvironment health is required to enhance ovarian function. The precise identification of the molecular pathways involved in ovarian aging can help to devise therapy techniques that can decrease ovarian decay and boost the amount and quality of oocytes available for IVF. Antioxidants, melatonin, growth hormones, and mitochondrial and cell therapy are among the available treatments. All of these treatments must be considered in light of every couple’s history and current biological parameters, and a personalized (patient-tailored) therapy program must be developed. In this chapter, we aim to give an overview on the identified mechanism involved in female reproductive aging and potential therapeutic approaches to amend reproductive efficiency.

Part of the book: IVF Technologies and Infertility