Embryology
Embryology is the branch of medicine that studies the development of living things from fertilization to birth. Embryology investigates the differentiation of cells and the formation of organs. The embryology department of our hospital plays an important role in the study of these processes and their use in various medical applications.
- Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis: The process of formation of male and female gametes.
Fertilization: The formation of the zygote by the union of sperm and egg and the fusion of genetic material.
Blastogenesis: The division of the zygote to the blastocyst stage and implantation into the uterine wall.
Gastrulation: The formation of cell layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm) that form the basis for the development of organs.
Organogenesis: The formation and development of organs and tissues.
Embryo Monitoring: Monitoring embryo development and selecting the healthiest embryos.
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD): Detection of genetic diseases at the embryo stage and selection of healthy embryos.
Gene Therapy: Correction of genetic disorders during embryo development.
Stem Cell Research: The use of embryonic stem cells for therapeutic purposes.
Ultrasonography: Monitoring embryo and fetal development.
Amniocentesis: Evaluation of fetal genetic and biochemical conditions.
Cell Differentiation: The study of the process by which cells differentiate into various tissues and organs.
Birth Defects Research: The study of the effects of environmental factors on embryo development and the investigation of teratogens.
What is IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)?
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) is a reproductive technology performed in a laboratory. In this process, the woman's eggs and the man's sperm are fertilized outside the body and the resulting embryo is transferred to the woman's uterus. IVF is an effective treatment option for couples with infertility problems.
Hormone Therapy: Hormone injections are administered to make the woman's ovaries produce more eggs.
Follicle Monitoring: The development of the ovaries is monitored with ultrasound and blood tests.
Egg retrieval: Mature eggs are collected from the ovaries using a fine needle under light anesthesia.
Laboratory Procedures: The collected eggs are placed in special nutrient media in the laboratory.
Sperm Preparation: The sperm sample from the man is washed in the laboratory and the most motile sperm are selected.
Microinjection (ICSI): Fertilization is achieved by injecting one sperm into each egg, or the eggs are combined with the sperm in the same environment.
Embryo Culture: Fertilized eggs (embryos) are grown in a special incubator for several days.
Embryo Monitoring: Embryologists closely monitor the development of the embryos and select the healthiest embryos.
Transfer Procedure: One or more of the developing embryos are implanted into the woman's uterus using a thin catheter.
After Embryo Transfer: The woman uses the hormone progesterone to help the embryo attach to the uterine wall.
Blood Test Approximately two weeks after the embryo transfer, a blood test is performed to determine pregnancy status.
Blocked or Damaged Tubes
Endometriosis
Unexplained Infertility
Male Infertility
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):
Genetic Diseases
High Success Rate: An effective treatment method for many couples with infertility problems.
Genetic Screening: Selection of healthy embryos through genetic screening before embryo transfer.
Overcoming Problems Such as Tubal Blockage: An ideal method for women with obstructed fallopian tubes.
What is Egg Retrieval (OPU)?
Egg retrieval or OPU (Oocyte Pick-Up) is the collection of mature eggs from a woman's ovaries as part of the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) process. This procedure allows the eggs that have matured as a result of hormonal stimulation to be taken for fertilization in a laboratory setting.
How Long Does Egg Retrieval Take?
Importance of Egg Retrieval
Hormone Therapy: In the first stage of the IVF process, the woman receives hormone injections to stimulate her ovaries and encourage the production of more eggs.
Follow-up: The development and maturation of the eggs are closely monitored by ultrasound and blood tests. When the eggs reach sufficient maturity, egg retrieval is planned.
Anesthesia: Egg retrieval is usually performed under light anesthesia or sedation so that the patient does not feel any discomfort.
Ultrasound Guidance: A transvaginal ultrasound probe is used to image the ovaries and guide the egg retrieval.
Needle Collection: Under ultrasound guidance, a thin needle passes through the vaginal wall and reaches the ovaries. With the help of the needle, the fluid and eggs in the follicles are aspirated and taken into a special tube.
Evaluation of Eggs: The collected eggs are examined under a microscope in the laboratory by embryologists.
Preparation: Healthy and mature eggs are selected and prepared for fertilization.
What is Denudation (Egg Preparation)?
Denudation is a stage in the IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) process that takes place in the laboratory after egg collection. This involves cleaning the cells around the eggs and preparing them for fertilization.
Importance of Denudation
Selection of Mature Eggs: Only the healthiest and most mature eggs are fertilized.
Increasing the Success Rate: Cleaned eggs provide a higher fertilization success rate.
High Quality Embryos: Embryos from healthy eggs are of higher quality.
OPU (Oocyte Pick-Up): Eggs are collected from the ovaries under light anesthesia.
Washing and Cleaning: The collected eggs are washed in special media.
Separation of Cells: The cells around the eggs are separated under a microscope.
Microscope Examination: Embryologists assess the maturity of the eggs. Mature (Metaphase II) eggs are selected for fertilization.
Selection of Eggs: Mature and healthy eggs are prepared for fertilization.
Conventional IVF: Eggs and sperm are combined in the same environment.
Microinjection (ICSI): A single sperm is injected into each egg.
Sperm Preparation
Sperm preparation is the process of rapid and efficient removal of sperm cells from the seminal plasma in the ejaculate. This process is crucial for the spermatozoa to initiate the acrosomal reaction necessary for capacitation and fertilization. Prolonged exposure of sperm cells to seminal plasma can negatively affect motility and viability and increase the amount of DNA fragmentation. Therefore, the rapid removal of sperm cells from seminal plasma is critical for the success of IVF treatment.
Swim-up method is a sperm preparation technique used to select motile sperm. In this method, motile spermatozoa are floated in fresh culture medium added to the washed pellet. The success of the method is directly related to sperm count and motility.
Stages of the Swim-up Method:
Preparation:
The ejaculate is washed in a special nutrient medium and separated into pellets by centrifugation.
Flotation (Incubation):
Fresh culture medium is added to the pellet and motile spermatozoa are allowed to swim up.
Collection:
The most motile sperm that float to the surface are collected and used for fertilization.
This method is effective in selecting motile sperm and increases fertilization success. In cases where the total number of progressive spermatozoa is high, the incubation period may be shortened.
Why Swim-up Method?
High Motility: The most motile and healthy spermatozoa are selected.
Efficient Selection: Motile sperm increase fertilization success.
Simple and Reliable: It is an easy and common method.
The density-gradient method is a technique that separates spermatozoa according to their density and motility. This method can be used in all ejaculate samples and is particularly effective in cases of TESE, low motility, and SOAT (severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia). After centrifugation, motile sperm with normal morphology pass through the gradient solutions and are collected at the bottom of the tube.
Stages of the Method:
Preparation: The ejaculate sample is prepared in a special medium and placed in centrifuge tubes.
Gradient Generation: Gradient solutions of different concentrations are added to the tubes.
Centrifugation: The samples are centrifuged and healthy spermatozoa are collected at the bottom of the tube.
Pelleting: Pelleted spermatozoa are prepared for use in fertilization.
This method ensures that motile and morphologically normal spermatozoa are selected, thus increasing fertilization success.
Micro Chip
A microchip is a special device used in IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) treatment to select sperm with high quality genetics. Microchip technology is a widely accepted method in IVF treatments that mimics natural physiology for sperm selection. This device allows to select the best quality sperm thanks to microchannels in a special solution.
Preparation
Micro Channel Filtration
Selection and Collection
The micro-chip mimics natural physiology when selecting sperm, thus enabling a more natural selection process.
This technology selects healthy sperm using micro-channels. Good quality sperm are selected by passing through the micro-channels.
Unhealthy, DNA-damaged sperm are collected in one section, while good quality, undamaged sperm move to the other section.
As healthy sperm pass through the microchannels, they pass through many obstacles as if they were racing to reach the egg in a natural environment.
