Embryo Testing & Freezing

This is where the magic happens! During this phase, the clinic’s science team will bring together the eggs and sperm to create and develop the best embryos possible.

Biopsy and Testing

If pursuing genetic testing, we then perform a biopsy on the embryos if and when they reach a viable stage, often beginning Day 5. This is a key practice in IVF to test the embryos for chromosomal abnormalities (known as aneuploidy). The biopsy takes just a few cells and is generally well-tolerated by the embryo.

We then send the sample to a specialized lab for comprehensive chromosomal testing. These results can take up to 8-12 business days for us to receive.

Embryo Testing Tips:

We will determine which embryo are fit to biopsy; some can be frozen, transferred if not biopsied

PGT-A is generally safe for embryos and does not reduce success rates

Testing is a personal decision and should not be informed only by embryo grade or number

Testing is a personal decision and should not be informed only by embryo grade or number

Embryo grade and chromosome; that still has to be determined via PGT-A testing

Some embryos must be cultured to day 6-7 to have enough cells to ensure a biopsy is saf

Samples cannot be held on-site long term; the decision to test must be finalized quickly

The likelihood an embryo will test as normal is most strongly correlated with maternal age.

Embryo Testing Tips:

We will determine which embryo are fit to biopsy; some can be frozen, transferred if not biopsied

Embryo grade and chromosome; that still has to be determined via PGT-A testing

PGT-A is generally safe for embryos and does not reduce success rates

Some embryos must be cultured to day 6-7 to have enough cells to ensure a biopsy is saf

Testing is a personal decision and should not be informed only by embryo grade or number

Samples cannot be held on-site long term; the decision to test must be finalized quickly

Testing is a personal decision and should not be informed only by embryo grade or number

The likelihood an embryo will test as normal is most strongly correlated with maternal age.

After biopsy (or directly if biopsy isn’t performed), we typically freeze any viable embryos. Life IVF uses an advanced freezing technology called vitrification, which freezes rapidly to avoid the formation of harmful ice crystals.

Once frozen, embryos or eggs can be stored for many years with no known limit; freezing gives you the option to use your embryos when you see fit. Any embryos that are frozen will not be discarded unless explicitly instructed to do so.

The Embryo Transfer Cycle

Once you have one or more embryos ready that you want to move forward with, you’ll be able to start the last major phase of treatment, the Embryo Transfer.

Learn More