Fertilisation, Embryo Culture and Transfer
Fertilisation:
Depending on the semen quality, fertilisation is performed either by IVF or ICSI in order to provide as many fertilised oocytes as possible.
How to choose fertilisation media:
For optimal fertilisation results it is recommended to use Universal IVF as a dedicated fertilisation medium, since especially the high glucose content in Universal IVF aids sperm capacitation. However, all MediCult culture media contain glucose in a concentration sufficient for fertilisation and can therefore be used as fertilisation media. Depending on the chosen culture system fertilisation may therefore be performed in Universal IVF Medium, EmbryoAssistTM, BlastAssist® System Medium 1 or ISM1TM.
Embryo culture:
Oocytes and embryos are cultured in a medium providing physical and chemical conditions imitating the in vivo environment. As the embryo develops, its dependency on the medium environment changes; therefore a sequential media system is recommended.
How to choose culture media:
MediCult offers different culture systems:
- EmbryoAssist™ for fertilisation and optimal culture of cleavage stage embryos until 4-8 cell stage.
- BlastAssist® is for culture from 4-8 cell stage through to blastocyst stage (Day 4-6 after fertilisation)
- EmbryoAssist™ and BlastAssist® together form the new flexible culture system.
- ISM1™ for short term (< 4 hrs) fertilisation and optimal culture of cleavage stage embryos until 2-8 cell stage.
- ISM2™ for blastocyst culture after embryo selection in ISM1™.