If your IVF treatment results in more embryos than can legally be replaced at transfer, the remaining good quality embryos can be frozen and stored for possible future use (see embryo bank).

Sperm too can be frozen and stored in the sperm bank.

In certain specific situations, biopsies may have to be taken of either the testicles or ovaries. This tissue can be stored for future use. See storage of testicular tissue and storage of ovarian tissue for more information.

Thanks to recent developments, it has also become possible to freeze egg cells. The technique used to freeze egg cells is called vitrification.