Hey friends! Today, let’s dive into the fascinating world of time-lapse imaging for thawed embryos. At our center, we aim for a single embryo transfer to minimize the risks associated with multiple pregnancies. Did you know that when we transfer two embryos, there’s a 50% chance of twins? We believe that single embryo transfer is the safest choice for both moms and their little ones.
When embryos are thawed for transfer, we closely examine them to ensure they weren’t harmed during the freezing and warming processes. Thanks to a method called vitrification, the survival rates of these embryos are over 98%. However, even with perfectly normal chromosomes, we often see an implantation rate that struggles to exceed 70%. This means that about 30% of embryos don’t implant, even under ideal conditions.
You might think these failures could be linked to some unidentified uterine issue, but it’s likely that other factors play a role, including potential inherent deficiencies in the embryos themselves. To investigate this, we’ve been using special time-lapse cameras to monitor embryo development after thawing. This initiative, led by Dr. Mia Harper in our lab, began with embryos that patients had decided to discard. We started by thawing chromosomally abnormal embryos to observe their development.
What we found was quite revealing. First, some embryos that looked normal under the microscope continued to develop for several hours before stopping entirely. Second, we noticed that embryos, particularly those of average quality or lower, struggled to hatch from their protective shell. Even with a procedure called Assisted Hatching (AH), which creates a small hole in the shell, many embryos still had trouble escaping.
From this research, we concluded that we might be overestimating embryo survival after vitrification and that some embryos genuinely require assistance to hatch during implantation. This work earned Dr. Harper the top prize for new research at a recent reproductive society meeting!
We’re excited to advance this project to include embryos that are actually being transferred to patients. Soon, we’ll offer the opportunity for patients to have their embryos cultured under time-lapse cameras for a few hours before transfer. This information will help us develop a model to predict viability based on how quickly the cavity within the embryo refills after thawing. If the cells are healthy, we expect a quicker re-expansion of the cavity, which is a good sign for implantation.
Additionally, we’re improving our hatching techniques by making larger holes in the embryo’s shell with lasers, allowing for easier escape within just a few hours after thawing. While a 70% implantation rate is commendable, we are committed to exploring why some embryos continue to struggle, even in optimal conditions. We believe that by utilizing time-lapse imaging, we can gain valuable insights into predicting implantation success.
So, whether you’re looking for information about pregnancy or home insemination methods, there are great resources like Healthline that can provide you with comprehensive insights. And if you’re a working mom, don’t miss our other post on pumping at work for essential tips. For anyone interested in boosting fertility, check out some supplements at Make a Mom!
In essence, our ongoing research with time-lapse imaging is paving the way for improved embryo transfer outcomes. We’re hopeful that this innovative approach will help increase implantation rates and make pregnancy journeys smoother for everyone.