🦋 Quick answers
- The IVF laboratory is one of the most important factors in IVF success.
- Embryologists handle eggs, sperm and embryos, and control the lab environment.
- They perform ICSI, freezing/thawing, blastocyst culture and embryo biopsy.
- The lab must prevent any mix-up of eggs, sperm or embryos.
- RTAC is an accreditation scheme for IVF laboratories.
“Doctor, I just had IVF recently but it failed… What is the reason?”
Many TTC couples undergoing IVF treatment are not aware that the IVF Laboratory is actually one of the most important factors in determining the success of their IVF treatment. When choosing an IVF clinic, besides selecting an IVF doctor who is skilled and compatible with them, they must also ensure that the clinic has a good IVF Laboratory. The pregnancy success rate of that IVF clinic will also be closely monitored by embryology specialists.
The true function of the IVF Laboratory – The Heart of the IVF Clinic
The IVF Laboratory is managed by embryologists, scientists who are responsible for handling eggs obtained from the Egg Pick Up procedure, sperm from the male partner, and then carrying out the fertilisation of the eggs and sperm, carefully monitoring the development of the embryos formed in the IVF laboratory. The IVF doctor and the embryologists will together decide which embryos will be selected to be transferred back into the uterus.
In addition, the environment of the IVF laboratory is also maintained by the embryologists. This is to ensure that the environment is optimal for the growth and proper development of the embryos. Therefore, a good IVF laboratory will have full-time, experienced and dedicated embryologists to manage all aspects of laboratory care, including all equipment in the IVF laboratory, so that high-quality embryos can be obtained.
It is important that the embryologists in the IVF laboratory are able to perform these procedures well:
- Egg freezing process
- Sperm freezing process
- Embryo freezing process for Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
- Embryo development process from Day 3 to Day 5, known as the blastocyst stage
- ICSI procedure
- Embryo thawing / warming procedure
- Embryo biopsy procedure for PGS / PGD
RTAC – Reproductive Technology Accreditation Certification for IVF laboratories
The IVF laboratory must ensure that no mistakes are made that could result in the mix-up of eggs, sperm or embryos. Therefore, there must be 0% error. There is zero tolerance for lab error.
RTAC is an accreditation awarded by the RTAC committee established by the FSA (Fertility Society of Australia), which is responsible for monitoring IVF clinics in Australia and New Zealand. The RTAC committee has developed a Code of Practice to ensure that IVF clinics follow the necessary laboratory protocols so that the performance of the IVF laboratory is good, laboratory errors are prevented, and continuous quality improvement initiatives are maintained to provide high-quality care for couples undergoing IVF treatment.
Therefore, embryologists are actually crucial to the success of your IVF. They work hard behind the scenes and often receive less appreciation than they truly deserve – our unsung heroes.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the IVF laboratory important to IVF success?
The laboratory is where eggs, sperm and embryos are handled and where the culture environment is maintained. Its quality and the embryologists’ skill directly affect embryo development and therefore your chance of success.
What does an embryologist do?
Embryologists handle eggs obtained during egg pick-up, perform procedures such as ICSI, egg/sperm/embryo freezing and thawing, blastocyst culture and embryo biopsy for PGS/PGD.
What is RTAC?
RTAC (Reproductive Technology Accreditation Certification) is an accreditation scheme for IVF laboratories that helps ensure standards and reduces the risk of errors such as mixing up eggs, sperm or embryos.
Does a failed IVF cycle mean the lab is at fault?
Not necessarily. Failure can be due to many factors including egg/sperm quality, uterine factors and implantation. The lab is one important factor among several.
Sources
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