Fertility clinics worried over impact of drop in liquid nitrogen supply
May 09, 2021
Say shortage could hit eggs, sperm and embryos cryopreserved in IVF centres
The government’s decision to convert existing nitrogen plants to facilities producing medical oxygen – required for critical Covid-19 patients – has triggered anxiety among those who are engaged in offering assisted reproduction services, as the sudden shortage in liquid nitrogen could hit eggs, sperm and embryos cryopreserved in thousands of IVF (in vitro fertilisation) centres across the country.
“The IVF centres require a stead supply of liquid nitrogen for preserving embryos, eggs and sperm at ultra-cold temperature (minus 195 degree Celsius) conditions. There is some uncertainty whether the centres would be able to get liquid nitrogen in adequate quantities if these plants are converted to those producing medical oxygen,” said Nandita Palshetkar, a Mumbai-based gynaecologist who runs eight fertility clinic