Embryo Banking vs. Embryo Pooling: What’s the difference, and which one works better?

With the introduction of the new generation of assisted reproductive technologies, there are two new main approaches, embryo banking and embryo pooling, which are revolutionizing how people and couples seek fertility treatment.

Although both techniques entail embryo cryopreservation, they are performed for other purposes and create other reproductive aims. Knowing how they differ and are being applied is the first step to making an educated decision on your journey towards fertility.Understanding the BasicsIn the assisted reproductive technologies field, embryo pooling and embryo banking are two advanced fertility treatments showing potential for individuals and couples plagued by infertility conditions or seeking to bank their reproductive capability.

Although both processes include freezing and storage of the embryo, they differ in purpose and use. Embryo pooling is a method to improve pregnancy rates in the clinical setting of IVF by providing a timely accumulation of embryos across multiple cycles, most commonly for women with poor ovarian reserve.

Embryo banking is for the purpose of keeping embryos for future use, primarily by individuals who consciously wish to postpone conception or individuals who are receiving medical treatment that affects their fertility.

What is embryo pooling?Embryo pooling is a method of stacking multiple eggs in a single or series of IVF cycles, fertilizing the eggs, and freezing the resulting embryos until there are enough. Once there are enough frozen embryos, the quality embryos are selected for implantation. The technique will do the most good in women with low ovarian reserve and a limited chance of recovering eggs within a single cycle. Embryo pooling also optimizes the chance of a successful pregnancy by maximizing the pool size of embryos that meet PGT-A candidacy in order to facilitate the selection of quality.

It also reduces the physical, emotional, and financial burden of enduring numerous IVF attempts by batching efforts into one well-designed transfer.The Role of Embryo BankingEmbryo banking tends to be more geared towards long-term fertility preservation. Here, eggs are extracted, stored, and later fertilized with sperm, and wanted embryos are kept to be used in the future. It is a method one chooses by option if he or she doesn't want a family, but then is undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy, or is absolutely sure about the reproductive partner.

Embryo banking is a type of flexibility where people can plan pregnancy after some time in the future without sacrificing quality in terms of age and health of the embryo.

It is also suitable for same-sex couples and donor sperm users. Yes, it does involve more upfront costs and future storage charges. There is the ethical issue of producing embryos that will never actually be implanted, and some would find that unethical.Weighing the Benefits and DrawbacksEach method has advantages. Embryo pooling provides enhanced embryo selection and higher success rates per cycle and is cost-effective in the long term. It's perfect for low-AMH individuals or previous failed IVF cases. Pooling enables more embryos to be done in patients for preimplantation genetic testing; hence, there are chances that a genetically normal embryo can be found.

The other option, embryo banking, provides greater reproductive liberty, particularly to those who have not yet decided that they want to be parents yet must preserve their options.

It's also for patients receiving medical treatment, most likely to ruin their fertility. Subsequently, banking would mean having embryos for the rest of one's life, something that might be emotionally and ethically taxing.Tailoring the Approach to Your NeedsEmbryo pooling or embryo banking on a case-by-case basis.

Embryo pooling is ideally suited for women with reduced ovarian reserve, those aged more than 35 years, couples seeking genetic testing, or recurrent IVF failure. Meanwhile, embryo banking suits those who wish to delay pregnancy due to work or personal reasons, couples who prefer IVF with two or more children, or individuals who undergo medical treatments that impact fertility.

Single women or men, or couples who prefer to use donor semen, can also go for embryo banking as the ideal solution.

Consultation with a fertility physician is needed to make an informed choice based on medical history, parental wishes, and lifestyle.Making An Informed ChoiceEmbryo pooling and embryo banking are two distinct routes to parenthood. Embryo pooling is designed to enhance short-term success with IVF with greater numbers of embryos available and increased selection opportunities. Embryo banking, then, is actually about keeping your options open later on, building a fertility time capsule to use when the time is right.

Neither is inherently better; the one that's best for you will be determined by your reproductive goals, medical background, and psychological preparedness.

Seeking the advice of a fertility specialist gives you personalized advice and allows you to make a well-informed decision based on your life plans and your own beliefs.Attribution : Dr. Kaberi Banerjee, Infertility & IVF Expert | Founder & Medical Director, Advance Fertility & Gynecology Centre