Parenthood. For many, it is the ultimate goal, a pinnacle of their life's experiences. The enormous importance of parenthood is the very thing that makes some of us wait -- until the time is right. Yet time is the greatest factor in fertility.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has produced miracle babies for decades now. Scientists and fertility specialists are closer than ever to helping men and women achieve biological parenthood at various points in the lifespan.

Cryopreservation, or freezing, is essentially a way of stopping time.

Human cells -- including the ones that merge to create new life: the egg and the sperm -- change over time. These changes can disrupt how the cell functions. When cell function is disrupted, the result can be cells that don't work properly. Some forms of infertility are caused by egg and sperm cells that are not functioning well.

Causes of cellular changes:

• Disease or other health conditions -- You can even avoid certain diseases and treat those illnesses that your body encounters.
• Toxins in your environment -- A healthy lifestyle may positively impact the condition of your cells. You can avoid exposure to cell-damaging toxins. You can optimize your overall health with good nutrition and physical activity.
• Passing Time -- Even egg or sperm cells that are undamaged by disease or toxins cannot avoid the effects of passing time.

Cryopreservation techniques used by reproductive specialists for decades now are making it possible to protect egg and sperm cells (and the embryos they can create) from the damaging effects of time.