The blastocyst is an embryonic stage, comprising of 100 to 150 cells. It is approximately on the fifth day after fertilization. During this time, the embryo will normally move out from the fallopian tube and enter the uterus. Once inside the uterus, the blastocyst will start attaching itself to the uterine wall, and the process is called implantation. Blastocyst culture
The doctors at every IVF clinic will conduct the in-vitro fertilization or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) immediately after the egg retrieval process. The resulting embryo will find a place inside an incubator for further development. The stages of culture are here for your knowledge.
1. Day 0: day of egg retrieval and ICSI or IVF will happen after egg retrieval.
2. Day 1: it is the pronuclear stage where the embryologist checks how many eggs underwent successful fertilization.
3. Day 2: the embryo reaches two to four-cell stages.
4. Day 3: now, the embryo comprises of eight cells.
5. Day 4: and it enters the morula stage.
6. Day 5 or 6: Finally, the blastocyst stage sets in.
The blastocyst culture and transfer process will be elaborate and need constant monitoring from competent medical professionals.
More about the blastocyst
The blastocyst consists of two types of cells:
• Inner cell mass that will develop into the fetus
• The outer layer of cells or the trophectoderm develops into the placenta.
The embryo transfer process is ideal during Day 2 or day 3 after the collection of the egg. However, with the advancement of technology, the IVF laboratories can now allow the culture of the embryo for five to six days. So it will give the embryo a higher chance to prove its developmental potential.
If the embryo stops developing prior to the fifth or sixth day, there is no need for transfer. And the embryologist can identify and choose the best embryo through natural selection for the ultimate transfer.
Advantages of culturing the blastocyst
At an average rate, almost 45% of the fertilized eggs reach the blastocyst stage.
• The blastocyst transfer success rates increase if the experts get ample time to study the development of the blastocysts and then choose the right one for implantation.
• It is possible to transfer only the most competent and viable blastocyst, ensuring almost 100% success.
• The fertilized embryo reaches and attaches itself to the uterine wall on the fifth or sixth day in the natural pregnancy process. So the body of the female will be more accurate in terms of physiological conditions during the fifth or sixth day.
• The blastocyst culture is necessary for couples who need the pre-implantation genetic screening or the pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. Embryo culture is always accurate in the blastocyst stage rather than during the 2nd or 3rd days of the embryonic stage.
Who can benefit from the culture?
The blastocyst culture procedure is appropriate for you if:
• You have already failed multiple times for IVF. The performance of blastocyst culture on a person who has already been through failed IVF with the embryo transfer during day 2 or 3 can further yield information related to the development of the embryo and improve the positive pregnancy rate.
• You can also eliminate the chances of multiple pregnancies. The blastocyst culture will give the embryologist an opportunity to transfer the best single embryo and reduce the chances of multiple pregnancies.
Visit here: https://www.sciivf.com/blastocyst-culture-and-transfer-procedure/