For those working in the fertility or assisted reproduction industry, the recent headlines around the storage of fertility samples will come as no surprise.
Presently, ten years is the absolute storage limit, after which a storage facility, if the owners have not decided to donate them, will take the samples out of storage and allow them to perish.
However, recent government plans have revealed that ministers want to give people increased flexibility in starting a family and plan to lengthen the storage limit to 55 years.
Image Credit: Air Products PLC
The potential issue
In terms of freezing techniques, extending storage times does not pose much of a problem, as modern cryogenic freezers have the capacity to store samples indefinitely without deterioration.
The potential issue arises when the storage capacity of fertility facilities is taken into account. A typical sight seen in many facilities nationwide is container after container filled with key biological samples.
Generally, sample storage facilities will start off small, using just one or two freezers – commonly referred to as ‘Dewars’ – to store a limited number of samples. However, as the facility grows, more and more freezers will be added until a makeshift cryo-room appears.
The storage issue is complicated by the fact that over the last 20 years, assisted reproduction has seen significant growth driven by several factors; an increase in the average age of people starting a family, same-sex couples and increased success in IVF treatment, amongst other factors.
Since 1992, the number of IVF cycles performed each year has more than doubled, according to the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority. The other main factor affecting freezer capacity is the amount of IVF cycles that have been from frozen embryos, a number which has gone from almost zero in 1991 to almost 30,000 a year in 2019.
When these factors are taken into account along with the intention to prolong storage limits, there is potentially a vast increase in the need for cryogenic freezer capacity. Fertility facilities could see their service requirements increase many times over.
Historically, fertility providers have taken up residence in city center locations, typically in listed buildings, which are often beautiful and accessible for their customers, but offer limited storage space and next to no room for expansion.
So, when increasing space is not a viable option, then considering how to optimize storage density is crucial. In the aforementioned cryo-room model, with multiple aluminum freezers, you would usually be able to store between 1,000 to 2,000 samples per cubic meter.
A modern automated freezer such as the MVE HEco 1500 offers a sample density in the region of 40,000 samples per cubic meter; this significantly increases and optimizes storage capacity without the need for additional floor space.
The next step
When preparing for the inevitable storage expansion, the next logical step would be to invest in a full-size, automated cryogenic freezer.
Typically available with liquid or vapor phase storage, liquid nitrogen (LN2) storage freezers such as the HEco can be readily installed into a facility and plumbed into an exterior LN2 supply tank.
The LN2 is pumped into the building effectively with the help of a Super Insulated Vacuum Line (SIVL). A professional supplier can easily fill external bulk storage tanks, mitigating the risks associated with clinical staff manually handling liquid nitrogen.
LN2 freezers also offer additional safety features, such as temperature monitors and alarms to prevent loss of samples and system supply failure.
Liquid nitrogen’s slow burn-off rate means that if a supply failure was to occur, samples would remain viable for several weeks, presuming the freezer remains closed and sealed during this time.
When starting out, Dewars or cryogenic containers are a viable option for many centers. However, with the potential increase in storage capacity approaching, is it now time to upgrade?
Even if a fertility facility still has plenty of room, it may be wise to upgrade at the earliest possible opportunity. Fully automated stainless steel liquid nitrogen freezers are a secure, long-term option for cryogenic storage, bringing with them a whole heap of benefits.
To find out more about Air Products’ range of cryogenic freezers, call 0808 164 9315 or email [email protected].
About Air Products PLC
Air Products touch the lives of consumers around the globe in positive ways every day. With approximately 16,000 employees and operations in 50 countries, we serve customers across a wide range of industries from food and beverage to medical, energy, and transportation. We supply a unique portfolio of atmospheric and process gases, equipment, and services.
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