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Blastocyst culture and transfer
Blastocyst culture and transfer is included in our in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment and can lead to higher birth rates.
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What is it?
Blastocyst culture involves growing fertilised eggs in a laboratory under strict conditions until they reach the blastocyst stage. A blastocyst is the stage of an embryo before implantation, forming five to six days after a sperm fertilises the egg. At this point, embryologists can assess the embryos' appearance and development to determine which ones have the best chance of success.
This is followed by the blastocyst transfer where the embryo is transferred to the womb to develop. Our fertility experts will closely monitor the process, which can take up to five days.
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Blastocyst grading
Blastocyst grading is a process that allows our embryologists to evaluate and assess embryos on the fifth day to determine which ones have the best potential for implantation. Embryos are graded from A to F, with A being top quality and F being lower quality. Embryos graded A-C are suitable for freezing.
Our embryologists use an EmbryoScope™, a special incubator with built-in cameras, to provide a score and time-lapse of the growth for further information. The EmbryoScope™ also uses an algorithm to predict embryo development, improving the selection process. This is with the help of iDAScore, our new AI software, which ranks embryos and determines which ones have the best potential. This, along with the standard A-F grade, is used to analyse which embryos have the best chance of leading to a successful pregnancy.
The blastocyst culture
The blastocyst culture is an important part of IVF treatment and can take up to five days for the embryo to develop.
Egg retrieval and fertilisation
The initial step involves retrieving the eggs and combining them with the sperm in the laboratory. If necessary, the sperm can be injected into the egg, using a procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This method is used when there are concerns about the quality of the sperm.
Observing and monitoring
If fertilisation is successful, our embryologists use the EmbryoScope™ to monitor embryo growth. This helps us assess which embryos are developing on target and most likely to be successful.
Selection process
The embryologists choose one or two embryos that appear to have the highest chance of implantation. Then a member of the clinical team will transfer them into the womb to develop. Any other embryos that are grade A-C can be frozen for future use.
Advantages of blastocyst culture
Blastocyst culture is a crucial aspect of IVF treatment success.
Evidence shows that this procedure can improve embryo implantation, increasing the likelihood of pregnancy. It also enables embryologists to assess blastocysts and determine which ones have the highest chance of success. Therefore, reducing the need to transfer multiple embryos and lowering the risk of multiple pregnancies.
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Blastocyst transfer
Blastocyst transfer is one of the most important parts of the process. Once the blastocyst is transferred into the womb, it hatches out of its shell and attaches to the lining of the womb, which allows the pregnancy to happen.
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