Ask the CryoStork®: Cryogenic Transport
Welcome to Ask the CryoStork®, where we answer questions from patients just like you. Whether you’re navigating fertility preservation, preparing for IVF, planning for surrogacy, or exploring long-term storage, we know the decisions ahead of you are deeply personal and sometimes overwhelming. That’s why we’re here. To offer clarity and confidence as you protect what matters most.
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Ask the CryoStork®: What does “cryogenic transport” really mean, and how is it different from hand carry?
When you’re moving something as irreplaceable as frozen embryos, eggs, or sperm, every detail matters. Many intended parents ask us whether they should carry their reproductive materials themselves, tucked into the backseat of their car or the cabin of a commercial flight, or if they should rely on a professional shipping partner. The answer starts with understanding what cryogenic transport really means, and why it’s built specifically for this kind of responsibility.
What is cryogenic transport?
Cryogenic transport refers to the movement of biological and live cell materials at cryogenic temperatures (below -150°C) to maintain cellular integrity. This temperature range is necessary to preserve the viability of embryos, eggs, and sperm while they’re outside of the clinic or laboratory environment.
Unlike basic refrigeration or dry ice shipping, cryogenic systems use liquid nitrogen vapor (sometimes also called “dry vapor” or LN2) and validated shipping systems (containers) to maintain safe temperatures during transit. Because temperature control and safety of these sensitive materials is so important, cryogenic transport is a highly controlled process.
At Cryoport Systems, cryogenic transport is a specialized, comprehensive system designed to protect reproductive materials at extremely low temperatures, with strict safety standards and trained professionals overseeing the process from pickup to delivery. It’s so much more than a shipping method or the transfer of a tank.
How is this different from hand carrying my materials?
We understand the instinct to want to keep something so precious so close. Hand carrying your reproductive materials might seem safer at first… after all, if the container is with you, you can see it. But visibility and safety aren’t always the same thing. And even that visibility is limited, as you can see the physical container’s exterior, but you don’t have visibility into safety metrics like internal temperature, tilt, shock, humidity, and more.
In comparison, professional cryogenic transport with Cryoport Systems includes:
- Validated equipment vs. clinic loaners
Cryoport Systems uses rigorously tested, custom-engineered shipping systems built to maintain cryogenic temperatures for days. Many loaner or hand carry kits are not designed for extended travel or unpredictable delays. - Continuous monitoring vs. DIY stress
Every Cryoport Systems shipment is monitored 24/7/365 by a team of trained specialists. If a flight is delayed or if the continuous monitoring shows any temperature deviation along the way, our team is alerted and immediately jumps into action to resolve any issues that come up.
At the heart of it, cryogenic transport is about protecting what matters most, your chance at a future family. At Cryoport Systems, that is a responsibility we take seriously, with the expertise and care your shipments deserve. When you choose Cryoport Systems, you’re choosing confidence in a system designed from the ground up to protect your embryos, gametes, and reproductive materials every step of the way.
We’ll take it from here… safely, securely, and with the respect your journey deserves.
