The cultivation of embryos under optimal conditions is essential for the success of fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
At IVF-Life, we use multi-chamber incubators with a time-lapse system. This technology is used to analyse and track embryonic development from fertilisation to the blastocyst stage (embryo at day 5/6 of development).
The ability to evaluate and classify embryos based on their development and morphological characteristics provides additional information to support embryo selection for transfer.
Time-lapse technology combines stable culture conditions with continuous visualisation and documentation of embryo development.
Embryo development is recorded at regular intervals of 5 to 15 minutes. This allows embryologists to carefully evaluate the embryo's progress without removing it from the incubator.
Some time-lapse systems use specialised software to assess embryos based on their morphological characteristics and developmental patterns over time, providing additional information for embryo classification.
Several time-lapse monitoring systems are used in assisted reproduction for embryo culture and assessment. At IVF-Life, we use GERI and Embryoscope technology.
EmbryoScope and GERI are closed monitoring systems that allow continuous observation of embryonic development without requiring embryologists to remove the embryos from the incubator.
Embryo selection using time-lapse systems offers greater reliability, as it provides many images of the embryo’s development. This gives embryologists much more information to precisely select the embryos with the greatest implantation and pregnancy potential.
It is particularly important that time-lapse monitoring allows observation of embryonic development without disturbing incubation conditions, unlike traditional monitoring, which involved periodically observing embryos under a microscope, disrupting the continuity of their culture.
Additionally, time-lapse monitoring provides detailed information on embryo development that can complement conventional morphological assessment and support the embryo selection process.
Embryologists place the embryos in the time-lapse incubator, which is equipped with cameras that capture images at regular intervals. The images taken of the embryos from different angles with high-resolution cameras are stored in a computer system. From the captured images, videos are generated that show the embryo’s development, from fertilization to the moment of transfer.
This allows embryologists to observe each stage of embryonic development in detail. Later, the videos are analyzed by specialized software. This helps identify embryonic development patterns and select embryos with the highest implantation potential.
Information on embryo development and cell division timings provides embryologists with additional criteria for embryo assessment and classification. Based on these criteria, embryos can be classified as high, medium or low quality.
This information helps embryologists assess embryo development and can support the selection of an embryo for transfer.