EMBRYO CULTURE

Time-lapse technology provides continuous monitoring, developmental analysis and stable environments and has the potential to minimise handling stress for embryos. As a result, time-lapse technology has placed new requirements on the culture media. The success of in vitro fertilisation is strongly dependent on the embryo culture conditions that are related to the composition of the culture medium. Vitrolife offers media both for Increase the chances of success at each stage of IVF. Ensure optimal conditions before, during and after culture by using the whole 

 All G-Series media share the same basic composition to secure viability and implantation potential. Osmolality, pH and supporting compounds are all kept constant. This foundation prevents intracellular stresses as the embryos progress through the IVF process. 

Undisturbed time-lapse culture for better embryo selection

He desire to regularly observe embryos in order to make accurate assessments and the need to minimise disturbance to avoid stressing them has been a long-standing dilemma. Time-lapse technology andPrimo Vision solves this problem by giving you continuous observation in undisturbed culture with strict environmental control.

Oocyte Wash Buffer

On the day of egg retrieval (Day 0), this buffer is used for the retrieval of the eggs from the ovary. Oocyte wash buffer has an ingredient, which prevents a change in pH when the solution is exposed to air during the retrieval. The eggs are very susceptible to any minute changes in the pH of their environment. The eggs are washed in this buffer and then placed into the next medium for culture.

Fertilization Medium

After the wash at retrieval, the eggs are put into the fertilization medium. This medium contains a variety of salts, sugars, amino acids, protein and other nutrients essential for the maintenance of the egg (and sperm in IVF) during the process of fertilization (IVF and ICSI). The fertilization medium and all of the other subsequent culture media, are buffered with the appropriate components in order to maintain the correct pH of the solution in the embryo incubator.

Cleavage Medium

All of the eggs which undergo normal fertilization are next placed into cleavage medium, which is formulated specifically to support the growth requirements of the early cleavage stage embryo. The cleaving (dividing) embryo is cultured in this medium until Day 3. If the embryo transfer is scheduled for Day 3, the embryos are transferred to the uterus in a small amount of this medium.

Blastocyst Medium

Embryos, that are to be cultured until Day 5 or 6, are placed, later on Day 3, into another medium referred to as blastocyst medium. The embryos are then maintained in this medium until embryo transfer on Day 5 or embryo cryopreservation on Day 5 or 6. This medium has additional components and/or different components required by the embryo in its transition from a cleavage stage embryo to a blastocyst. If the embryo transfer is scheduled on Day 5, the embryos are transferred to the uterus in a small amount of this medium.

Sperm Buffer

The sperm buffer is formulated in order to maintain the correct pH when the solution is exposed to air. This buffer is used during the preparation of semen samples and solutions for semen samples, which will be washed and processed outside of the incubator.

Sperm Medium

The sperm medium is similar to the Sperm Buffer except that the buffer is such that the correct pH of the solution is maintained whilst in the incubator. This medium is important for the final resuspension of sperm to be used in IVF because the process of fertilization occurs inside the incubator.