The Stages of Embryo Development
Embryo development is a fascinating process, especially for those undergoing fertility treatment. Embryos are the earliest stage of life and they really are incredible.
Embryo development is the growth of an embryo from a fertilised egg that undergoes a series of cell divisions to form a blastocyst. The process plays a crucial role in the success of IVF treatment as the quality of an embryo influences the chance for a successful pregnancy.
Many factors influence embryo development and the conditions in the laboratory are optimised for their development. Specialised growth media, advanced equipment and meticulously controlled environments are all used to give every embryo the best chance for healthy growth and increase the chance of pregnancy.
Importance of Embryo Stages in Fertility Treatment
There are several key stages of embryo development. Our highly skilled embryologists carefully monitor every embryo’s growth to make sure each one reaches its developmental milestones. At each stage, they are assessed to identify which embryos have the best potential to result in a pregnancy. Each stage of embryo development is unique and critical to ensure successful implantation when the time comes for transfer.
The Stages of Embryo Development
Day 1 – Fertilisation – Successful fertilisation is the union of egg and sperm which is identified by the presence of two pronuclei – one containing DNA from the egg and one with DNA from the sperm.
Day 2-3 – Cleavage Stage: There is rapid cell division in this stage. Embryologists are looking for the ideal development of 5-10 cells that are uniform in size with very little fragmentation.
Day 4-7 – Blastocyst stage: After the cleavage stage, the cells compact into a single mass called a morula, within which cell membranes disappear and differentiation of cell types occurs. By Day 5 we are looking for a clear, compact inner cell mass (foetal cells that become a baby) and a cohesive layer of outer (placental) cells. A skilled embryologist will assess both components and give the embryo a grading. It is at this stage that we can ascertain if embryos are suitable for transfer or freezing. Embryos that reach this stage have a higher chance of implantation.
Key Milestones in Embryo Development
There are three milestones in embryo development that our embryologists assess.
- Fertilisation: This is the first and an essential milestone! Without fertilisation, there is no embryo.
- Cell division: This indicates that the embryo is capable of growth and development.
- Blastocyst formation: This indicates that the cells have differentiated, and the embryo has reached implantation potential. Embryos that reach the blastocyst stage have a higher chance of implantation.
Factors That Influence Embryo Development
Embryo quality is an important factor influencing IVF success. Below are some of the factors that influence embryo development:
- Age: Egg quality declines with age and affects embryo development.
- Lifestyle factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and poor diet may impact egg and sperm quality and affect embryo development.
- Health conditions: Inflammation caused by endometriosis can affect oocyte quality resulting in suboptimal embryo development.
- Environmental factors: Temperature, pH and nutrients provided during growth in the lab all affect embryo development. City Fertility uses state-of-the-art equipment, and culture media from world-class manufacturers and maintains meticulously controlled environments to create ideal conditions for embryo development. Our scientists are expert embryologists who use proven techniques that optimise embryo development.
- Medications: Herbal medications may interact with fertility medications, having a negative effect on embryo development. We always recommend that you advise your fertility specialist if you or your partner are taking herbal supplements.
Learn About Embryo Development at City Fertility
Your embryos are taken care of by our highly skilled embryologists, providing the best possible controlled environment, using state-of-the-art equipment and culture media from world class manufacturers. Our scientists use techniques that have been tested and proven to provide optimal embryo development. If you have any questions about how we take care of your embryos, our scientists are always happy to talk to you and we welcome you to make an appointment.