---
title: "Embryo Creation"
date: "2026-06-09"
modified: "2026-08-18"
medically_reviewed: "2026-08-18"
canonical_url: "https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation"

# Service / MedicalProcedure
schema_type: "MedicalProcedure"
procedure_type: "NoninvasiveProcedure"
service_name: "Embryo Creation"
service_description: "Embryo creation at Arbor for $7,500 \u2014 egg thaw, sperm prep, ICSI fertilization, culture, and year-one storage in one transparent fee."

# Provider
organization: "Arbor Fertility"
organization_type: "MedicalBusiness"

# FAQ Structured Data
faq:
  - question: "What does the egg thawing process involve?"
    answer: "Egg thawing is the first step in embryo creation. Eggs that were vitrified during a previous freezing cycle are carefully warmed in a controlled process that restores them to a viable state for fertilization. The thaw happens on the same day as ICSI \u2014 there's no multi-day wait between thaw and fertilization. Survival rates for vitrified eggs are consistently high, and thawed eggs perform comparably to fresh eggs in fertilization outcomes."
  - question: "How does ICSI fertilization work?"
    answer: "ICSI \u2014 intracytoplasmic sperm injection \u2014 is a fertilization technique where a single sperm is selected and injected directly into the center of a mature egg using a microscopic needle. It's performed under high-powered magnification by our embryology team. ICSI bypasses the natural barriers to fertilization, which makes it especially effective when sperm count or motility is a factor. At Arbor, ICSI is standard for every embryo creation cycle \u2014 it's included in the $7,500 fee, not an add-on."
  - question: "How long can embryos be stored?"
    answer: "Embryos can remain vitrified in cryopreservation indefinitely without degrading. Your first year of storage is included in the $7,500 embryo creation fee. After year one, storage renews at $600 per year. Many patients store embryos for years \u2014 for future siblings, while pursuing genetic testing, or simply while deciding on timing. There is no biological deadline once embryos are vitrified."
  - question: "What are the success rates with created embryos?"
    answer: "Success rates depend on several factors, most significantly the age at which the eggs were originally retrieved and the quality of the resulting embryos. Embryos created from eggs frozen before age 35 generally have higher implantation rates. PGT-A genetic testing \u2014 available as a separate service \u2014 can identify which embryos are chromosomally normal, which further improves per-transfer success rates. Dr. Zarek will review your specific situation and give you realistic expectations."
  - question: "Can I use donor sperm for embryo creation?"
    answer: "Yes. Many patients use donor sperm from a licensed sperm bank for embryo creation. You select your donor through the bank directly, and the sperm is shipped to our lab before your scheduled fertilization date. The embryo creation process is identical regardless of sperm source \u2014 egg thaw, sperm preparation, ICSI, culture, and storage. Donor sperm costs are billed by the sperm bank separately from Arbor's $7,500 fee."
  - question: "What happens after embryos are created?"
    answer: "Once embryos are created and cultured, they're vitrified and placed in long-term storage. From there, you have several paths: proceed to a frozen embryo transfer (FET, $3,000) when you're ready, pursue PGT-A genetic testing to identify the strongest embryo before transfer, or keep them in storage while you finalize your timeline. There's no pressure to transfer immediately \u2014 your embryos are preserved and waiting for whenever you're ready."

# Patient Reviews
aggregate_rating: "4.9"
review_count: 105
---

# Embryo Creation

## Table of Contents
* [Embryo Creation](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#embryo-creation)
* [$7,500 to create your embryos. The bridge between frozen eggs and family.](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#7-500-to-create-your-embryos-the-bridge-between-frozen-eggs-and-family)
* [Embryo Creation.](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#embryo-creation)
* [Separate the steps. Control the cost. Build on your timeline.](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#separate-the-steps-control-the-cost-build-on-your-timeline)
* [Four components. One price. No surprises.](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#four-components-one-price-no-surprises)
* [Egg Thaw](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#egg-thaw)
* [Sperm Preparation](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#sperm-preparation)
* [ICSI Fertilization](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#icsi-fertilization)
* [Embryo Storage (Year One)](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#embryo-storage-year-one)
* [Common questions about embryo creation.](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#common-questions-about-embryo-creation)
  * [What does the egg thawing process involve?](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#what-does-the-egg-thawing-process-involve)
  * [How does ICSI fertilization work?](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#how-does-icsi-fertilization-work)
  * [How long can embryos be stored?](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#how-long-can-embryos-be-stored)
  * [What are the success rates with created embryos?](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#what-are-the-success-rates-with-created-embryos)
  * [Can I use donor sperm for embryo creation?](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#can-i-use-donor-sperm-for-embryo-creation)
  * [What happens after embryos are created?](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#what-happens-after-embryos-are-created)
* [Related services worth a look.](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#related-services-worth-a-look)
* [Frozen Embryo Transfer](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#frozen-embryo-transfer)
* [Egg Freezing](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#egg-freezing)
* [IVF with ICSI](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#ivf-with-icsi)
* [Your eggs are waiting. Ready to take the next step?](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#your-eggs-are-waiting-ready-to-take-the-next-step)
* [Egg thaw, sperm preparation, ICSI fertilization, embryo culture, and one year of storage — everything between retrieval and transfer, in one transparent fee.](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/ivf-embryo-creation#egg-thaw-sperm-preparation-icsi-fertilization-embryo-culture-and-one-year-of-storage-everything-between-retrieval-and-transfer-in-one-transparent-fee)

---

![Service · Embryo creation illustration](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/sites/default/files/card-images/service--embryo-creation-illustration.png)

$7,500

Stimulation, retrieval, fertilization, embryo culture, and year-one storage. Holding embryos for a future transfer.

## Embryo Creation

## $7,500 to create your embryos. The bridge between frozen eggs and family.

MO

![Service · Embryo creation illustration](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/sites/default/files/card-images/service--embryo-creation-illustration.png)

## Embryo Creation.

What this service is

Embryo creation is the laboratory phase of the IVF journey — the step where previously frozen eggs are thawed, fertilized with sperm, and cultured into embryos ready for transfer or long-term storage. It's the bridge between egg freezing and pregnancy, and for many patients it's the moment the process shifts from preservation to action.

Our $7,500 embryo creation package covers the egg thaw, sperm preparation, ICSI fertilization, embryo culture, and one full year of cryopreserved storage. The transfer itself is a separate procedure ($3,000 FET), and medications, diagnostic testing, and donor services are billed independently. There are no hidden platform fees or bundled charges — you see the price before you begin.

At Arbor, embryo creation is performed by our on-site embryology team using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) — a technique where a single selected sperm is injected directly into each mature egg. ICSI maximizes fertilization rates regardless of sperm quality and is our standard approach for every embryo creation cycle, not an add-on or upcharge.

![Service · Embryo creation illustration](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/sites/default/files/card-images/service--embryo-creation-illustration.png)

The modular approach

## Separate the steps. Control the cost. Build on your timeline.

Traditional IVF bundles everything — retrieval, fertilization, transfer — into a single cycle and a single price. That makes sense when you're starting from scratch. But if you've already frozen eggs, there's no reason to pay for retrieval again or rush toward transfer before you're ready. Embryo creation as a standalone service lets you fertilize on your schedule and decide about transfer later.

This modular approach is especially valuable for patients who froze eggs years ago and are now ready to use them, patients using donor sperm who want embryos created before selecting a transfer window, and anyone who wants PGT-A genetic testing on embryos before committing to a transfer cycle. Your eggs are already preserved. Embryo creation is the next step — when you choose to take it.

[Talk to us about creating your embryos](/get-started)

## Four components. One price. No surprises.

Inside the $7,500 fee

The embryo creation package covers every step from egg thaw through one year of embryo storage.

## Egg Thaw

Previously vitrified eggs are carefully warmed to a viable state on the day of fertilization. Vitrification preserves cellular integrity — thawed eggs perform comparably to fresh ones in ICSI fertilization.

## Sperm Preparation

The embryology team processes and selects the highest-quality sperm — from a partner or donor — using density gradient separation. This step maximizes the chance of successful fertilization.

## ICSI Fertilization

A single selected sperm is injected directly into each mature egg under high-powered magnification. ICSI is Arbor's standard — not an upcharge — and consistently achieves high fertilization rates.

## Embryo Storage (Year One)

Created embryos are vitrified and stored in our on-site cryopreservation facility for one full year at no additional charge. Storage renews annually at $600/year beginning in year two.

**Not included:** Frozen embryo transfer ($3,000 separate FET cycle), medications (typically $3,000–$4,500), diagnostic testing and infectious disease screening, embryo biopsy and PGT-A genetic testing, lab fees (billed to insurance or ~$400 self-pay), storage after year one ($600/year), and donor services (priced separately).

## Common questions about embryo creation.

### What does the egg thawing process involve?

Egg thawing is the first step in embryo creation. Eggs that were vitrified during a previous freezing cycle are carefully warmed in a controlled process that restores them to a viable state for fertilization. The thaw happens on the same day as ICSI — there's no multi-day wait between thaw and fertilization. Survival rates for vitrified eggs are consistently high, and thawed eggs perform comparably to fresh eggs in fertilization outcomes.

### How does ICSI fertilization work?

ICSI — intracytoplasmic sperm injection — is a fertilization technique where a single sperm is selected and injected directly into the center of a mature egg using a microscopic needle. It's performed under high-powered magnification by our embryology team. ICSI bypasses the natural barriers to fertilization, which makes it especially effective when sperm count or motility is a factor. At Arbor, ICSI is standard for every embryo creation cycle — it's included in the $7,500 fee, not an add-on.

### How long can embryos be stored?

Embryos can remain vitrified in cryopreservation indefinitely without degrading. Your first year of storage is included in the $7,500 embryo creation fee. After year one, storage renews at $600 per year. Many patients store embryos for years — for future siblings, while pursuing genetic testing, or simply while deciding on timing. There is no biological deadline once embryos are vitrified.

### What are the success rates with created embryos?

Success rates depend on several factors, most significantly the age at which the eggs were originally retrieved and the quality of the resulting embryos. Embryos created from eggs frozen before age 35 generally have higher implantation rates. PGT-A genetic testing — available as a separate service — can identify which embryos are chromosomally normal, which further improves per-transfer success rates. Dr. Zarek will review your specific situation and give you realistic expectations.

### Can I use donor sperm for embryo creation?

Yes. Many patients use donor sperm from a licensed sperm bank for embryo creation. You select your donor through the bank directly, and the sperm is shipped to our lab before your scheduled fertilization date. The embryo creation process is identical regardless of sperm source — egg thaw, sperm preparation, ICSI, culture, and storage. Donor sperm costs are billed by the sperm bank separately from Arbor's $7,500 fee.

### What happens after embryos are created?

Once embryos are created and cultured, they're vitrified and placed in long-term storage. From there, you have several paths: proceed to a frozen embryo transfer (FET, $3,000) when you're ready, pursue PGT-A genetic testing to identify the strongest embryo before transfer, or keep them in storage while you finalize your timeline. There's no pressure to transfer immediately — your embryos are preserved and waiting for whenever you're ready.

## Related services worth a look.

Often considered alongside

$3,000

## Frozen Embryo Transfer

![Service · Frozen embryo transfer illustration](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/sites/default/files/card-images/service--frozen-embryo-transfer-illustration.png)

The next step after embryo creation — a single embryo is thawed and transferred to the uterus. Brief office procedure, no anesthesia.

$5,000

## Egg Freezing

![Service · Egg freezing illustration](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/sites/default/files/card-images/service--egg-freezing-illustration.png)

Preserve eggs now, create embryos later. Single cycle or three-cycle bundle ($12,000) with year-one storage included.

$10,000

## IVF with ICSI

![Service · IVF with ICSI illustration](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/sites/default/files/card-images/service--ivf-with-icsi-illustration.png)

The full IVF cycle — retrieval, fertilization, culture, and storage in one package. Choose this if you haven't yet retrieved eggs.

## Your eggs are waiting. Ready to take the next step?

If you've already frozen eggs — at Arbor or elsewhere — embryo creation is the bridge to pregnancy. Start with a consult to review your egg inventory, discuss sperm source, and map out the timeline. The initial 30-minute consult is $100 virtual or $200 in person.

[Schedule an embryo creation consult](/get-started) [See full pricing](/pricing)

## Egg thaw, sperm preparation, ICSI fertilization, embryo culture, and one year of storage — everything between retrieval and transfer, in one transparent fee.

[Schedule a consult](/get-started) [See full pricing](/pricing)

Embryo creation at Arbor for $7,500 — egg thaw, sperm prep, ICSI fertilization, culture, and year-one storage in one transparent fee.