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Chapter 30 - Embryo Assessment at the Pre-compaction Stage in the IVF Laboratory

from Section 6 - Embryo Assessment: Morphology and Beyond

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 August 2023

By
Shunping Wang  and
Tiencheng Arthur Chang
Edited by
Markus H. M. Montag  and
Dean E. Morbeck
Markus H. M. Montag
Affiliation:
ilabcomm GmbH, St Augustin, Germany
Dean E. Morbeck
Affiliation:
Kindbody Inc, New York City
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Summary

Historically, embryo transfer was performed during the cleavage stage, either on day 2 or day 3. With advancements in embryo culture, many in vitro fertilization (IVF) programmes have moved towards blastocyst transfer. The recent development of pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS), metabolic profiling of conditioned media and time-lapse microscopy provide additional information on embryo selection. However, the assessment of cleavage-stage embryos remains crucial in that the information provides embryologists with a preview of embryo implantation potential. This is especially critical for patients with a limited number of embryos, who do not have the luxury to carry on to blastocyst culture for transfer. At this point, embryo morphology remains the sole selection criterion for choosing embryo(s) for transfer. This chapter discusses embryo assessment with the intention of being a quick guideline for embryo selection/grading with respect to symmetry, multi-nucleation and degree of fragmentation.

Keywords

embryo gradingcleavage stagepre-compactionmorphology
Type
Chapter
Information
Principles of IVF Laboratory Practice
Laboratory Set-Up, Training and Daily Operation
 , pp. 218 - 224
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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References

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