| Blastocyst Culture |
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Blastocyst Culture and Development
Once an embryo is created it can be left in the laboratory to culture
for up to six days. Some patients are good candidates for extended
culture or Day 5 culture based on the following guidelines:
Once an embryo is created it can be left in the laboratory to culture
for up to six days. Some patients are good candidates for extended
culture or Day 5 culture based on the following guidelines:
All patients are counseled on the option of having blastocyst culture with their IVF cycle. A final decision - except in the case of using PGS –
cannot be made until day two or three of embryo development. The staff will keep you informed of the embryos’ progress and a recommendation
will be made at the appropriate time.
It is not considered a “failed cycle” if embryos are not grown to day 5 of development. Some patients have between two and four high quality
embryos on day 3 and there is no need to keep them in the laboratory any longer. Also, it may be beneficial to some patients to have Assisted
Hatching done on their embryos. For the safety of the embryos, this procedure is performed on day 3 of development just before the embryos are
placed back in the patient.
cannot be made until day two or three of embryo development. The staff will keep you informed of the embryos’ progress and a recommendation
will be made at the appropriate time.
It is not considered a “failed cycle” if embryos are not grown to day 5 of development. Some patients have between two and four high quality
embryos on day 3 and there is no need to keep them in the laboratory any longer. Also, it may be beneficial to some patients to have Assisted
Hatching done on their embryos. For the safety of the embryos, this procedure is performed on day 3 of development just before the embryos are
placed back in the patient.
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The photographs above are embryos at day 3 and day 5 of development.
- Day 3 embryos are generally between 5-8 cells.
- Day 5 embryos have over 100 cells and have begun to differentiate into different cell structures.
- Inner Cell Mass – Cluster of cells that develops into the baby – this is where embryonic stem cells come from
- Trophectoderm – outer cells of Blastocyst, with the appearance of a soccer ball – these cells become the placenta that will
support the baby during pregnancy - Zona Pellucida – The shell of the embryo – this thins out as the days progress further toward implantation which occurs on
day 6 or 7 of development. You can see the difference in the thickness of the zona pellucida between the embryos in
these two pictures.
Stages of Blastocyst Development
There are five general stages that we use to describe the progress of a day 5 embryo:
There are five general stages that we use to describe the progress of a day 5 embryo:
Morula – The cells from the day 3 embryo become compacted and loose their individual appearance. There
is no change in the thickness of the zona pellucida.
is no change in the thickness of the zona pellucida.
Early Blastocyst - At this next stage of development the blastomeres or cells start to pinch off and a cavity
develops. Inside the cavity the inner cell mass will form. The outside cell layer is the trophectoderm. The
zona pellucida has had little to no change in thickness. At this stage it is still difficult to tell the quality of the
inner cell mass. Blastocyst embryos at this stage are too early to freeze for later use.
develops. Inside the cavity the inner cell mass will form. The outside cell layer is the trophectoderm. The
zona pellucida has had little to no change in thickness. At this stage it is still difficult to tell the quality of the
inner cell mass. Blastocyst embryos at this stage are too early to freeze for later use.
Full Blastocyst – The cavity of the blastocyst has expanded and the inner cell mass is more visible. The
zona pellucida is visible thinning. We recommend freezing blastocyst embryos with a good inner cell mass
and trophectoderm at this point.
zona pellucida is visible thinning. We recommend freezing blastocyst embryos with a good inner cell mass
and trophectoderm at this point.
Expanded Blastocyst – The cavity is clearly expanded, the inner cell mass clearly defined and the zona
pellucida has become so thin it is hardly visible.
pellucida has become so thin it is hardly visible.
Hatching Blastocyst – This is the final stage of development before implantation. The blastocyst
has expanded beyond the capacity of the zona pellucida. This expansion has caused the shell to
tear. The blastocyst slowly exits and leaves this shell behind. It is believed at this point Assisted
Hatching may demonstrate its benefits. By placing an opening in the shell a few days prior, the
blastocyst already will have its exit when it reaches this point of development. Patients with shells that
prove too difficult or impossible to tear may prohibit an otherwise healthy blastocyst from leaving the
shell and implanting into the uterus.
has expanded beyond the capacity of the zona pellucida. This expansion has caused the shell to
tear. The blastocyst slowly exits and leaves this shell behind. It is believed at this point Assisted
Hatching may demonstrate its benefits. By placing an opening in the shell a few days prior, the
blastocyst already will have its exit when it reaches this point of development. Patients with shells that
prove too difficult or impossible to tear may prohibit an otherwise healthy blastocyst from leaving the
shell and implanting into the uterus.
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