---
title: "Does freezing reduce SVF cell viability after thawing?"
url: "https://worldwiki.io/q/does-freezing-reduce-svf-cell-viability-after-thawing"
type: "question"
language: "en"
intent: "informational"
entity: "Cell Banking"
topic: "Cell Banking & Cryopreservation"
published: "2026-09-18 07:10:23"
updated: "2026-09-18 16:10:23"
---

# Does freezing reduce SVF cell viability after thawing?

## Short answer

Yes, it can. Freezing and thawing reduce the number of living stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells. A 2019 study found that cryopreservation lowered SVF cell counts, but the surviving cells kept their stem cell potency. A 2026 systematic review examined how cryopreservation affects SVF viability across studies. The size of the loss depends on how the cells are processed and frozen, so viability after thawing should be measured before any clinical use.

## Answer

Cryopreservation means cooling and storing cells, tissues or organs at very low or freezing temperatures so they can be used later[1]. For adipose-derived SVF, cells are mixed with a cryoprotectant, cooled in a controlled way and held in liquid nitrogen at about −196 °C. The process is not loss-free, because some cells do not survive freezing and thawing.

A 2019 study in *Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open* reported that cryopreservation reduced SVF cell counts. The stem cell potency of the surviving cells was not reduced[3]. A 2026 systematic review in *Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine* examined the effects of cryopreservation on SVF viability in human adipose tissue across published studies[4]. How much viability is lost depends on the freezing medium, the cooling and thawing protocols and how long the cells are stored. The cited sources do not give one viability percentage that applies to every cell bank.

In practice, a stored product's usefulness depends on measured results, not on storage alone. International guidance from the ISSCR covers quality standards and documentation for cell products used in clinical translation[2]. Before banking, it is reasonable to ask a provider:

- how viability is tested after thawing, and what its own results are;
- whether any approved future use exists for the cells;
- whether the facility is licensed for cell processing and storage.

A specialist can explain whether a post-thaw cell count would be enough for any intended use.

## Verified providers

- [SC301의원](https://worldwiki.io/entity/sc301) — SC301의원 (SC301 Clinic) is a plastic surgery clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea whose official site presents SVF (stromal vascular fraction) fat grafting for the breast and face, liposuction, liftin

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## Sources

1. [NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: cryopreservation](https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cryopreservation) — National Cancer Institute (NCI) · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/9
2. [ISSCR Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation](https://www.isscr.org/guidelines) — International Society for Stem Cell Research · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/14
3. [Cryopreservation of Stromal Vascular Fraction Cells Reduces Their Counts but Not Their Stem Cell Potency](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31942351/) — Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open (2019) · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/25
4. [Effects of Cryopreservation on Stromal Vascular Fraction Viability in Human Adipose Tissue: Insights from a Systematic Review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42631789/) — Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (2026) · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/26