ReproCopilot took part in the ESHRE Campus Workshop held on February 28th, 2025, in Alicante (Spain)—an event that brought together European experts to address one of the most complex and sensitive topics in reproductive medicine: the management of cryopreserved embryos. The presentation by Dr. Irene Cuevas Sáiz, from the Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, offered valuable clinical insight and sparked an essential conversation about the urgent need to integrate technology and intelligent protocols into IVF labs.
An Increasing Number of Stored Embryos… and Harder Decisions
According to the Spanish Registry on Assisted Reproduction, the number of stored embryos has grown exponentially in the last decade. In Spain alone, over 800,000 embryos were cryopreserved by 2022. This growing volume not only poses logistical and storage challenges but also opens a wide and complex range of legal, clinical, and ethical questions regarding their fate.
Will these embryos be used in future treatments?
Donated for research or to other patients?
Discarded?
Or will they remain frozen… indefinitely?
A Fragmented Legal Landscape Across Europe
One of the key challenges highlighted by Dr. Cuevas Sáiz was the lack of harmonized legislation across Europe. While countries like Spain have no time limit on embryo storage, others—such as Austria or Denmark—impose restrictions based on storage time or patient age. This legal patchwork makes clinical decision-making harder and introduces additional uncertainty in embryo management.
Moreover, the European regulation governing Substances of Human Origin (SoHO) sets high standards for safety and traceability, demanding strict protocols, accurate documentation, and advanced control technologies.
Safety, Traceability and Digitalization: The Pillars of the Future
Dr. Cuevas emphasized the risks of human error during cryopreservation—such as manual labeling, paper-based inventory systems, or storage tank failures. She also shared real-world cases of problematic international shipments, where a lack of proper documentation or sample identification posed serious risks.
In this context, digitalization becomes a strategic ally. Solutions like LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems), real-time temperature monitoring, barcode/RFID tracking, and intelligent traceability platforms not only improve lab efficiency but significantly reduce error margins and enhance patient safety.
ReproCopilot: Technology Designed for Modern Cryo-Management
At ReproCopilot, we share the vision presented during the ESHRE Campus Workshop: managing cryopreserved embryos can no longer rely on outdated, manual methods. Our software is designed to seamlessly integrate into assisted reproduction labs, offering:
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🔒 Complete traceability, from vitrification to final destination.
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📊 Smart inventory visualization, critical alerts, and date monitoring.
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🔄 Automation of administrative tasks, freeing up time for clinical staff.
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🤝 Compliance with EU and national guidelines for SoHO and embryo handling.
Conclusion: Caring for Embryos Means Caring for the Future
Embryo cryopreservation is not just a technical process. It’s a profound responsibility—scientific, ethical, and human. Each embryo stored represents a hope, a potential future. And it deserves to be handled with the highest standards and most advanced tools available.
Events like the ESHRE Campus Workshop reaffirm our mission: to support clinics and professionals in the digital transformation of their cryo-management workflows, so they can offer patients greater confidence and safety at every stage of their journey.
💡 Want to discover how ReproCopilot can optimize your cryopreservation management? Contact our team and start building a safer, smarter IVF lab today.
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