No, vitrification has excellent survival rates, and frozen embryo transfers (FET) often have success rates comparable to or even higher than fresh transfers due to better endometrial preparation.
Embryos are frozen using a technique called vitrification, which rapidly cools them in a protective solution to prevent ice crystal formation. This ensures high survival rates when they are thawed.
There are several reasons for embryo freezing, including:
- Planning for future pregnancies
- Medical conditions requiring fertility preservation (e.g., cancer treatment)
- Reducing the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
- Delaying pregnancy for personal or professional reasons
Embryo cryopreservation is the process of freezing and storing embryos for future use. This allows patients to undergo embryo transfer at a later time without the need for another full IVF cycle.
Time-lapse incubators allow continuous imaging of embryos, providing better selection criteria without disturbing culture conditions.
The Inner Cell Mass (ICM) and Trophectoderm (TE) are the two main cell lineages in a blastocyst-stage embryo.
ICM develops into the fetus.
TE forms the placenta and extraembryonic tissues.
Usually, the embryos are graded for example as “5AB”, 5 is the expansion stage of blastocyst which is a hatching stage. The first letter which is “A” stands for the quality of the inner cell mass while the second letter which is “B” stands for the trophectoderm.
Embryos are graded at the blastocyst stage with the following:
- 6- Hatched Blastocyst
- 5- Hatching Blastocyst
- 4- Expanded Blastocyst
- 3- Full Blastocyst
- 2- Early Blastocyst
- 1- Late Cavitating stage
ICM Grade:
A-Best Quality (large ICM, many compacted cells, tightly packed)
B-Good Quality (smaller size, fewer loosely adherent cells, less compacted)
C-Poor Quality (very few cells visible, may be loose, difficult to distinguish from TE cells)
TE Grade:
A-Best Quality (many identical small cells forming a tightly knit continuous epithelium, appears evenly scalloped)
B-Good Quality (fewer small cells, non-continuous uneven layer with some gaps)
C- Poor Quality (very few cells of uneven size forming a loose epithelium, more gaps)
Usually 20-30 minutes. It may take longer if you have complex medical issues or if multiple tests are needed the same day.
Yes, it’s ideal for both partners to attend. Fertility involves both individuals, and tests or treatments may be needed for both.
Your first visit includes a detailed discussion of your medical history, lifestyle, and fertility journey. The doctor may order initial tests and explain the IVF process. It’s also a chance to ask questions and express your goals or concerns.
Yes, when performed by experienced embryologists, the risk of damaging the embryo is very low.
LAH is considered the safest and most controlled method because it is precise, fast, and reduces handling time compared to mechanical or chemical hatching.
Women over 37 years old.
Patients with thick zona pellucida (common in frozen embryos).
Those with repeated failed IVF cycles.
Couples using PGT, as the embryo's shell may be hardened from the biopsy process.
Yes, it can help embryos break through the zona pellucida for better implantation, particularly in frozen embryos or older patients.
LAH is a procedure where a laser is used to thin or create a small hole in the embryo’s outer shell (zona pellucida), helping it hatch and implant into the uterus.
Egg quality is assessed based on cytoplasmic appearance, presence of granularity, vacuoles, and zona pellucida thickness. Poor-quality eggs may have fragmentation, dark cytoplasm, or abnormal polar bodies.
Eggs are classified as:
• GV (Germinal Vesicle) – Immature, not used for fertilization.
• MI (Metaphase I) – Partially mature, may mature in culture.
• MII (Metaphase II) – Fully mature and ready for fertilization.
Eggs are assessed for maturity under a microscope. Only mature (MII) eggs are used for fertilization via IVF or ICSI.
An embryo biopsy involves removing a small number of cells for genetic testing. It can be done at the cleavage stage (Day 3) or blastocyst stage (Day 5/6).
In the UAE, gender selection is only permitted for medical reasons, such as preventing sex-linked genetic disorders. Elective gender selection for non-medical reasons is not allowed under UAE regulations.
Yes, PGT-A reveals the embryo’s sex, but selecting based on gender is only allowed in some countries for medical reasons.
A semen analysis is performed to evaluate:
• Sperm concentration (count)
• Motility (movement ability)
• Morphology (shape and structure)
• Vitality (percentage of live sperm)
Semen is usually collected via masturbation in a sterile container at the clinic. In cases of severe male infertility, sperm may be retrieved surgically via TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration) or PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration).
