Embryology and Andrology Lab

Technology

Advanced technology is necessary for the best possible outcomes.

Latest Equipment and Techniques

California IVF is innovating new techniques to advance the science of IVF.

Laboratory Environment

The embryology laboratory uses advanced air handling systems.

Clean Room Standards

Strict environmental controls are needed for the best possible outcomes.

Embryology Staff

Lab staff with proven results and commitment to detail.

Expert Scientists

California IVF laboratory staff are advancing science and improving success!

The California IVF Fertility Center embryology lab is the high-tech heart of our clinic’s family atmosphere. Ted Tolner, PhD., leads an experienced embryology team that provides the technological backbone for patients to progress from preliminary testing to egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer. The embryology lab is also the vital link to other infertility services such as pre-implantation genetic screening and diagnosis, gender selection, and oocyte cryopreservation.

An embryology laboratory is a specialized lab providing the unique service of preparing sperm and eggs to form embryos and keeping those embryos in an environment that fosters their growth and development. The embryology lab is unique from other labs in that the environment must be tightly controlled so the conditions can mimic those of a woman’s fallopian tubes and uterus. This is accomplished by modern and expensive technology.

One of the critical components of an embryology lab is the air system. The embryology lab air must be clean and at the right temperature and humidity. California IVF Fertility Center has a purpose-built laboratory with a specialized air system that consists of multiple HEPA filtration units supplemented by multiple high-volume fans to create a clean air system that exceeds industry standards for clean air. Additionally, UV light is used to disinfect the air, and other specialized filters are used to remove organic chemicals from the air. The air system is tested on a regular basis to be certain the airborne particles and organic chemicals are kept to a minimum. The fans also create a positive flow of air out of the embryology lab, insuring that outside air does not enter the embryology laboratory without first passing through the filtration system. The heating andncooling system not only has to maintain minimal variations in the laboratory temperature, it must also maintain the lab’s humidity. Though it is mostly invisible, the air filtration system remains one of the most critical pieces of an embryology laboratory. No expense was spared in developing this specialized system which will easily outperform most after-market free standing units used by many other fertility centers.

Another critical component to embryo development is temperature. Starting the day before egg retrieval, liquids and work surfaces are brought to body temperature. Eggs and embryos are very sensitive to temperature changes, so all work surfaces are monitored to insure a controlled temperature with minimal fluctuation. The fluids used for growing, or culturing embryos, must be warmed so the nutrients and pH can stabilize. Everything must be controlled so the embryos will not experience conditions that would be harmful. It requires precision equipment to maintain uniform temperatures across different surfaces such as a metal worktable, microscope platform, and glass dishes.

Controlling the lighting and oxygen environment is important to embryos. When an embryo is in the fallopian tube or in the uterus, there is no light and only about 5% oxygen. An embryology laboratory must control the lighting and oxygen exposure so the embryo can thrive. There are many techniques for doing this. Having to avoid exposing embryos to room air adds a layer of complexity to embryology work. Gas chambers are used at various stages in the in vitro process to protect the embryos from harmful conditions.

The incubators in an embryology laboratory are the primary housing units where the embryos are stored. The incubators must be hooked to gas to maintain proper balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide (CO2). The temperature, gas fluctuations, gas content, humidity, and identity of the parents must be maintained during the whole process. Incubators house the embryos the majority of the time and when combined with the culturing techniques, and care provided by the embryologist, will act as an artificial uterus during the time the embryos are in the embryology lab.

Other specialized equipment in an embryology lab includes microscopes for micromanipulation of sperm and eggs and embryo biopsies. Most of the microscopes in an embryology laboratory are not the standard issue microscope found in most biology labs. An in vitro fertilization laboratory requires specialized and very expensive microscopes to help make the miracles happen. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) and Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD / PGS) are examples of the procedures that require specialized equipment and a skilled embryologist.

The embryologists work toward the goal of helping patients become pregnant and having a baby. Their work results in embryos that can be placed back into the uterus during a procedure called an embryo transfer. During the embryo transfer, the embryos are put into a very small catheter that is placed into the uterus.

Embryos that are not transferred during the embryo transfer procedure may be suitable for cryopreservation or freezing. Embryo cryopreservation is used to keep the embryos for use in the future. There are several techniques for freezing embryos including a programmed slow freeze and vitrification. Once frozen, embryos are stored in tanks filled with liquid nitrogen. This allows the embryology lab to store the embryos for as many years as parents-to-be desire. Oocyte cryopreservation, or egg freezing, is a emerging field that will allow us to store a woman’s eggs for later use. This is very helpful for fertility preservation for women facing chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer. Oocyte cyro may also be helpful for women desiring to preserve fertility for later in life.

The embryology laboratory employs many safety techniques to maintain the identity of the embryos as well as keeping them safe from environmental changes that could harm the embryos. Locks, alarm systems, temperature and chemical monitors, gas monitors, and regular quality control checks help keep the embryology laboratory functioning well, resulting in excellent pregnancy rates from our in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. The entire laboratory is backed up by a large diesel engine generator that can supply immediate and uninterrupted power. The fuel can be replaced while the generator is in operation, so the lab remains protected from unplanned power outages. All of these safety features are integrated with a phone system that can call the embryologist and physician should a problem arise. Children are life’s most precious gift and a modern embryology lab has more safety features than most day care centers. Our embryologists are confident when they tell couples, “I’m your first babysitter”.

Please explore additional pages to learn more about embryology, IVF, and other fertility services offered. Our embryology laboratory is constantly evolving and developing new approaches and techniques designed to improve pregnancy outcomes. Photo galleries and videos of the embryology laboratory will give you a first had look inside the embryology lab at California IVF Fertility Center located just outside Sacramento.

Embryology and Andrology Lab

Identity of patients and embryos is a critical matter in a reproductive clinic. We take this responsibility very seriously. There are multiple layers of cross checking to avoid mistakes when dealing with gametes and embryos. The first step in this process is the use of photo identification. Using photo identification helps us verify your name and date of birth. This information is compared to the request forms that are used to direct the lab on the procedures that are to be performed. All materials which come in contact with gametes or embryos will be labeled with patient names as well as a color-coding system which assigns unique codes to each patient. Working with only one person’s gametes or embryos at one time is another safety measure. A witness process complements the identity verification. The final verification process involves confirmation of identity with patients just prior to the transfer of embryos or gametes. Patients are involved in the initial and final stages of the verification process. While this multi-step process is complex and redundant, we view it as absolute essential.

Patient records are marked with 3 unique identifiers. These include name, date of birth, and a unique medical record number. Photocopies of picture ID cards are usually included in the chart as another layer of identity verification. Our clinic is implementing many electronic security measures such as digital photos, secure messaging, and patient specific log in procedures.

During any procedure involving gametes or embryos there are written identifiers as well as a witnessing process. Examples of procedures that involve witnesses would include inseminations, donor inseminations, egg manipulation, ICSI, and embryo transfers. Procedure request forms, patient identifiers, and isolation of materials are examples of the things the witness is responsible for watching. The witness then signs the verification forms confirming no mistakes have been made.

Each patient is given a unique color code which is included along with the patient’s name on everything that comes into contact with the gametes or embryos. All material is maintained in containment trays that are unique to each patient. Embryos are housed in incubators that have chambers that can be dedicated to each patient. During embryo transfers, one of the staff visually and physically ensures the path is clear for the person transporting embryos. Access to the lab is strictly limited.

The clinic was built with a telephone monitoring system that measures temperatures, gas mixtures, and function of laboratory equipment. Additional laboratory monitoring services include equipment monitoring and video surveillance of the lab are utilized to provide additional levels of security and are capable of electronically notifying staff. Alarm systems will call the clinic and lab personnel in the event of any abnormality. The building is also equipped with a monitored security and fire alarm system. Locked doors on the embryology laboratory further limit access to the lab. In the event of a power failure, we have a sophisticated battery backup system and diesel generator on an automatic transfer switch. Both systems provide redundant power supplies and are capable of maintaining the lab for an extended period of time without intervention. The generator can be refueled during operation which means uninterrupted power can be supplied until the regular electrical service can be restored.

If you have any questions about our safety procedures or equipment, please do not hesitate to ask.

Incubators in the embryology laboratory serve as the artificial uterus during the in vitro fertilization process. The incubators are vital to the safe keeping of embryos outside the body. Incubators are connected to a gas supply that provide oxygen CO2 and Nitrogen in the proper mixture to keep embryos safe from disturbances in pH. The incubators must also maintain body temperature, even when the doors to the incubators are opened several times throughout the day. Alarm systems are used to measure the temperature and gas conditions within the incubators. The alarms will even notify the staff of other conditions such as an open door, excessive noise, or a loss in power. Incubators are connected to an emergency generator to prevent a loss of power, so the alarm is a redundant safety system. The photos below will give you an overview of the incubators used in an in vitro fertilization laboratory.

In this photo, there are six incubators that are used for in vitro fertilization, or IVF. The incubators each have a status panel that allows the embryologist to set the incubators and monitor the conditions of the incubators. Tubing that supplies the gases to the incubator are seen in the background. Embryos require an environment that is 5% oxygen. Normal air contains 20% oxygen so embryos must remain isolated from normal air. This is one of the critical functions of a modern incubator. The controls on the incubators will also allow the embryologist to adjust the temperature, keeping the embryos at body temperature.

This view shows the outer door open. Notice the seal around the door on the left. Looking into the incubator, there are two glass doors for each shelf. Each shelf will be used to hold the embryos for one person. Opening the doors to one shelf, allows the other shelves to remain closed. This helps to prevent drastic changes in gas mixtures within the incubators. The interior is heated throughout the incubator in such a way as to avoid hot and cold spots. Embryos are sensitive to changes in temperature so incubators must be specially engineered to keep the conditions perfect inside the incubator.

This is a closer view of an incubator showing glass containers called desiccators. These containers are often used to further isolate the embryos for changes in environmental conditions. Each embryology lab will have their own technique and there is not one best way to “culture” embryos. Having a well thought out culture system and a modern incubation system with a backup system is necessary for all IVF laboratories. While these incubators are no match for the complexity of a woman’s uterus, they have served as a temporary home for hundreds of babies that are now part of happy families.

An embryology laboratory is a specialized lab providing the complex service of preparing sperm and eggs to form embryos and keeping those embryos in an environment that fosters their growth and development. The embryology lab is unique from other labs in that the environment must be tightly controlled so the conditions can mimic those of a woman’s fallopian tube and uterus. This is accomplished by some very scientific and expensive technology.

The embryology lab is the heart of the IVF center and is critical to the success of IVF treatments. The California IVF lab has been specifically designed to maximize the environmental conditions that can influence pregnancy outcomes. Every aspect of the lab must be considered when setting up a modern IVF embryology lab. The modern lab must be designed to take into account very technical air purification equipment, temperature control, gas supplies, engineered flooring to minimize vibrations, and access control. As pregnancy rates continue to improve, IVF labs need to be specifically designed for the important role they play in pregnancy outcomes. Retrofitting an existing building will usually not produce the desired rates of pregnancy seen in the next generation of IVF. California IVF’s embryology lab was not only built to optimize pregnancy success, but it was also built to serve as a model for future IVF centers.

In addition to having a facility that provides optimal conditions for developing embryos, the embryology staff must perform embryology services with the goal of optimizing pregnancy rates. There are many different procedures and services supported by an embryology lab.

After the eggs are collected from the retrieval procedure, the embryologist uses a specialized hood with a heated surface, controlled air, and a mounted microscope. Air hoods such as this one are very expensive and are built especially for embryology work. All work surfaces are heated to a consistent temperature which remains uniform across the work surface. Supplied gases are filtered to remove impurities and substances that could be harmful to developing embryos. The hood can be used for multiple purposes, though the egg identification process is one of the first steps of the IVF process. The embryologist receives eggs from the egg retrieval procedure. The heated work surface and microscope of the hood are used to identify the eggs and move them into dishes where they will remain until fertilization or oocyte cryopreservation.

Before the sperm can be used to fertilize the eggs, it must be processed. During the processing procedure the motile sperm are concentrated. A microscope is used to estimate the number of moving sperm present. Sperm are prepared for conventional insemination (placement of the sperm into a dish with the eggs for natural fertilization), or ICSI (injection of an individual sperm into an egg). This workstation can also be used to prepare and evaluate sperm for intrauterine inseminations.

The micromanipulation microscope is a vital part of the embryology lab. This microscope is used for precision work such as ICSI and embryo biopsy for PGS and PGD. The control pads on the side of the microscope are used to move the instruments under the microscope. Without these controls, the instruments would shake too much and would move too rapidly. The base unit of the microscope is warmed by a temperature control device so the work area maintains body temperature throughout the procedure. The ICSI microscope is one of the most expensive pieces of equipment in the embryology laboratory. The majority of the cost of IVF is related to the embryology laboratory and the specialized equipment that is required to maximize the chances of a successful pregnancy.

The incubators control the temperature, gas mixture, and pH of the embryo culture system. The incubators must keep the conditions very similar to the conditions found within a woman’s reproductive system. Digital controls and an automated alarm system keep the incubators operating within the desired range. Embryos will spend the majority of their 3 to 5 days in the incubators. There are many different types of incubators and culturing solutions that can be used. Each lab needs to match their own incubation system with the most optimal culture system for the best possible outcome. The embryologists at California IVF are constantly monitoring all different aspects of embryo development and treatment outcomes. Not all labs are equal. Many labs simply copy standard approaches to embryology. California IVF strives to avoid the status quo that affects so many labs. We are constantly looking for new ways to improve the efficiency and quality in all aspects of fertility treatments.

Insert highlight feature or blog post on building the future IVF lab.

Methods for freezing eggs and embryos has gone through a recent revolution which has led to higher rates of success for oocyte and embryo cryopreservation. One of the biggest risks to tissues that are frozen and thawed is ice crystal formation. The older method of slow freezing used temperature control units to carefully transition from liquid to solid states while minimizing ice crystal formation. The system appears relatively simple, but the control unit is actually a programmable computer that controls the rate of freezing to allow for desired freezing conditions. While the slow freeze methods have worked well for many years, the pursuit of egg freezing led to a newer and superior freezing technique. Vitrification is an alternative to using programmable freeze control units. California IVF has been able to fine tune the vitrification process to result in excellent outcomes with both frozen eggs and embryos. Advances in vitrification have given way to successful fertility preservation programs through egg freezing and embryo freezing. Vitrification offers a 20% or better improvement in success with frozen embryos and has changed the approach to IVF. Vitrificaiton avoids ice crystal formation by initially collapsing the egg or embryo and plunging it into liquid nitrogen using a very small holding device. The rapid transition from a liquid to solid state prevents damage to the cells being stored. There is a slight risk of eggs and embryos disintegrating during the freezing and thawing process though the risk is extremely low. The improvement in survivability and quality obtained with vitrification far outweighs the low rate of loss. Currently the recovery and survival rate for vitrified embryos is 95%.

Cryo tanks contain liquid nitrogen and are used to store eggs, sperm, and embryos for long periods of time. The liquid nitrogen levels are monitored by regular checks and an alarm system. Tissues can be stored indefinitely without damage. Over time, the laboratory has to add additional cryo storage tanks to keep up with the growing inventory of stored sperm, eggs, and embryos. By saving eggs and embryos, the effect of advancing age will not affect the stored tissues. A woman storing her eggs in her late 20’s or early 30’s will be able to use the eggs at a later time in life without the normal age-related reduction in fertility. Couples are able to store extra embryos for use at a later time. If they are successful with their treatment, they can return a few years or many years later and use the embryos that have been stored in liquid nitrogen.

Another critical component of an embryology lab that cannot be seen is the air. The embryology lab air must be clean and at the right temperature and humidity. The air also needs to be free from organic chemicals, bacteria, and spores. California IVF Fertility Center has a specially engineered air filtration system designed in conjunction with an HVAC engineer. The embryology lab air system must be completely separate from the remainder of the building and must have controls that allow for optimal air quality and positive pressure within the embryology lab. California IVF has designed and installed a complex system with the goal of optimizing success. The system is tested on a regular basis to be certain the airborne particles and organic chemicals are kept to a minimum. The fans also create a positive flow of air out of the embryology lab, insuring that outside air does not enter the embryology laboratory without first passing through the filtration system. The heating and cooling system not only has to maintain minimal variations in the laboratory temperature, it must also maintain the lab’s humidity. Though it is mostly invisible, the air filtration system remains one of the most critical pieces of an embryology laboratory. Our laboratory air system runs on a backup generator to prevent any deterioration in air quality even during a prolonged power outage. We are confident in saying our specialized air system will easily outperform after-market free standing units used by many other fertility centers.

Outside of the laboratory, a diesel powered generator is on standby, ready to provide power the moment electricity is no longer available from the electric company. The generator is capable of powering the laboratory and allowing all normal operations to continue. This system is further augmented by a very large capacity battery backup unit capable of running all equipment without a generator. Having two power backup solutions gives our lab extra layers of security from unexpected power outages.

California IVF Fertility Center has built a high-tech embryology lab for maximizing the conditions for success. While this adds to the expense of providing IVF services, the improvements in safety and success is priceless. Not every fertility center builds their embryology laboratory with the technology and level of detail needed in a modern IVF lab. At treatments and success rates evolve and improve, the embryology laboratory has been designed with the latest in engineering to move into the next generation of fertility service.

Request a Consultation

By submitting this form, I consent to be contacted by California IVF Fertility Clinic via phone, text, email, or mail. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not a condition of purchase. I agree to the Terms of Service and acknowledge the Privacy Policy. Reply STOP to opt out.