Technology, experience and clinical laboratory skills are crucial to successful IVF. Members of our highly trained Embryology staff work closely as a team with our fertility specialists, nurses and support staff. Extensively trained in specialized laboratory techniques, our embryologists are responsible for preparation of sperm, fertilization of eggs in the laboratory, and for the development of embryos until it is time to transfer them into the uterus. Our board certified Long Island NY fertility specialists are involved in every step of the process.
Our embryology laboratory offers many assisted reproductive technology(ART) procedures including ICSI, assisted hatching, PGD, blastocyst transfer and more. We are at the cutting edge of all reproductive technologies.
ICSI is a breakthrough procedure in the treatment of male infertility. ICSI gives new hope to couples that previously required donor sperm.
Blastocyst Culture
In most fresh IVF cycles, embryo transfer occurs 3 days after egg retrieval when the embryos have developed to 6-8 cells. If the embryos are high quality, they can be cultured in a special solution and allowed to develop until day 5 or 6 (the blastocyst stage) when two distinct cell types have differentiated. At this stage of embryo development, the embryo contains approximately 100 cells. It has developed to the point at which implantation is imminent.
The cells on the outer layer of the blastocyst eventually form the placenta, the sac that protects and nurtures the developing fetus during pregnancy, while the fluid-filled inner core of the blastocyst contains cells that will form the fetus. By selecting the embryos for transfer after this extended period of growth, we are able to transfer fewer embryos. This reduces the rate of high order (more than twins) multiple pregnancies and also produces high success rates.
Assisted Hatching
In order for an embryo to implant in the uterus, it has to break out of its shell (the zona pellucida). Assisted hatching refers to a delicate procedure performed under the microscope to facilitate normal “hatching” . Prior to transferring the embryo into the uterus, an artificial opening is created in the outer envelope of the embryo. Studies have shown increased implantation and pregnancy rates with the use of assisted hatching.
Cryopreservation (freezing) of Embryos
Frequently, more embryos may form during a fresh IVF cycle than the patient and physician decide can be safely transferred. The number of embryos transferred is limited due to the increased risk of high order multiple births.
Extra embryos may be frozen (cryopreserved) so that they can be transferred in a future IVF cycle. Since the embryos have already been produced for this cycle, ovarian stimulation with FSH is not necessary, thus reducing cost. Medications are necessary to insure that the endometrium develops sufficiently to support the implanting embryo.
Please see our "About our Long Island Fertility Center" page to learn more about our practice, success rates, and links to treatment procedures.
Donor Egg
Our embryologists also have extensive experience with the retrieval, separation, fertilization, micromanipulation techniques, and incubation of donor eggs. Our donor egg success rates are excellent largely because of the expertise of our physicians and embryologists.
We have a separate Long Island, NY Donor Egg Web site with extensive information.
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