Requirements of IVF for embryos
IVF technology is a way to help couples who cannot conceive naturally realize their reproductive dreams through in vitro fertilization. In the process of IVF, the quality of embryo is very important. Therefore, doctors will strictly screen and evaluate embryos. This article will elaborate on the requirements of IVF for embryos from four aspects: genetic health, morphological structure, quantity and development status of embryos.
1. Gene health
The genetic health of embryos is one of the important factors for the success of IVF. Unhealthy genes may cause embryos to fail to develop normally in hormone environment, or even fail to implant. Therefore, doctors will conduct gene screening to ensure that embryos do not carry obvious abnormal gene mutations or chromosomal abnormalities.
First of all, doctors will carry out gene testing on couples to find out whether they carry genes for certain genetic diseases. If couples have related risks, doctors will use genetic screening techniques, such as PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis), to exclude embryos with genetic defects during in vitro fertilization.
Secondly, the doctor will also check the chromosome of the embryo. The common method is to carry out PGS (Preimplantation Genetic Screening), and detect whether the chromosome number and structure of embryonic cells are normal by sampling. This can screen out embryos with chromosome abnormalities and improve the success rate of transplantation.
Finally, there are emerging gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas9, which can repair mutations in some single gene diseases at the embryonic stage. This technology provides a new choice for families without other treatment methods.
2. Morphological structure
The morphology and structure of embryos is also one of the important factors for embryo selection in IVF. Normal embryos usually have better development potential and are easier to implant after implantation into the uterus.
Doctors usually evaluate embryos under a microscope. Morphological evaluation includes the number, size and uniformity of embryonic cells, as well as the structure of cytoplasm and nucleus in cells. Doctors will evaluate the development potential of the embryo according to its morphological characteristics, and select the best potential embryo for transplantation.
In addition to microscopic observation, embryo evaluation technology based on artificial intelligence has also emerged in recent years. These technologies use image recognition and machine learning algorithms to automatically analyze the morphological characteristics of embryos and assist doctors in embryo selection.
3. Quantity
In the process of IVF, it is very important to have enough high-quality embryos. Because not all embryos after in vitro fertilization can be successfully implanted and developed into healthy babies.
Doctors usually select an appropriate number of eggs for in vitro fertilization according to the couple's age, reproductive history and other relevant factors. After that, after cultivation and evaluation, potential embryos will be selected for transplantation, and the surplus embryos can be frozen for future use.
Ensuring the sufficient number of embryos will help to improve the success rate of IVF. At the same time, the use of frozen embryos also reduces the pressure and risk of each egg retrieval, and increases the opportunities for couples to try in different cycles.
4. Development status
The developmental status of embryos is another important evaluation factor in the process of IVF. Normally developed embryos can better interact with the endometrium and successfully implant into the uterus.
Doctors will assess the development status of embryos by monitoring the development of embryos in real time, including the speed of cell division, the evolution of cell size and structure. They will choose the most appropriate stage of development for embryo transfer, usually when the embryo develops to the 8-cell stage or blastocyst stage.
In addition, doctors may also evaluate the formation of trophoderm and inner cell mass to judge the development potential and quality of embryos.
summary
IVF has strict requirements for embryos. Gene health, morphological structure, quantity and developmental status are important indicators for doctors to evaluate embryo quality. By means of gene screening, morphological evaluation, quantitative control and development monitoring, doctors can select the most promising embryos for transplantation to improve the success rate of IVF.
