Embryo Culture- Dr Sarita Teotia

What is meant by embryo culture

During IVF treatment when embryo is implanted into the womb, it first needs to be cultured or developed for some time which extends from two to six days to make the resultant embryo fit for conception. This process is called embryo culture.

This range of two to six days encompasses the various stages of embryo transfer and embryogenesis. These stages are cleavage stage and blastocyst stage. Cleavage stage comes after the two to four days of incubation. At this stage embryos are there to be transferred into the womb. This stage allows cumulative clinical pregnancy rate higher. Next is the blastocyst stage that comes after five to seven days culture. Blastocyst stage certainly improves the pregnancy chances but at the same time there is great reduction in remaining number of embryos for cryopreservation or embryo transfer.

How embryo culture is done

Embryo can be cultured in two mediums- one is autologous endometrial coculture and other is artificial culture medium. For autologous culture, cells are extracted from the top layer of her own uterine lining, whereas artificial culture medium uses pyruvate, glucose and other energy-providing components in addition to nucleotides, vitamins, amino acids and cholesterol.

These two mediums can be applied each in isolation or in a sequential set.

What are the risk associated in embryo culture

There are no major deformities, problems or setbacks reported in humans so far. However some mild to severe difficulties are observed in animals.

At Adam And Eve Test Tube Baby centre, Dr Sarita Teotia, the renowned IVF expert is providing services of embryo culture. Please visit www.drsaritateotia.com