Have you ever wondered what happens behind the doors of an IVF laboratory? What actually takes place after the egg retrieval and how do those precious embryos come to life?
At Unica Brno, our Head Embryologist, Mgr. Sylvie Hlaváčová, Ph.D., leads a team of skilled professionals who care for embryos with precision, compassion, and the latest technology. In a new video, she takes us inside the embryology lab to reveal what’s happening — and why it matters so much.
Where the Journey Begins: Sperm Preparation
Every embryo starts with a carefully prepared egg and sperm. In our andrology lab, we process sperm using specialized microchips. These tiny chambers mimic the natural environment of the female body and help select the highest-quality sperm based on movement and structure. It’s one of the many ways we ensure the best chance of fertilization.
Preparing the Foundation for New Life
Once retrieved, eggs are gently placed into special four-well dishes filled with nutrient-rich media. These dishes are designed to support the egg’s environment and allow our team to observe and care for them during the initial stages of development.
Fertilization: Different Methods, One Goal
- Embryos can be created through two main fertilization techniques:
Conventional IVF, where sperm are simply added to the eggs and allowed to fertilize naturally. - ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg using high-precision micromanipulation equipment. This method is especially helpful in cases of poor sperm quality or previous fertilization failure.
Time-Lapse Magic: Watching Embryos Grow
After fertilization, the embryos are placed into a time-lapse incubator. This innovative technology captures continuous images of each embryo throughout its development. By watching this video sequence, our embryologists can evaluate growth patterns, cell division timing, and overall quality.
“We observe how many cells an embryo has, whether they divide regularly, and how many nuclei are present at each stage,” explains Sylvie. “This allows us to select the embryo with the highest implantation potential for transfer.”
Supporting Implantation: A Gentle Boost
To improve the chances of successful implantation, we often use specialized culture media. This substance mimics the natural environment of the uterus and supports better embryo adhesion, acting, in simple terms, like a natural "glue."
A Personal Mission of Care
“At Unica clinic, we do everything in our power to create the best conditions for embryos to grow,” says Sylvie. “From the quality of our media to careful embryo selection, each detail is chosen with one goal in mind to help future parents welcome the child they’ve dreamed of.”
Behind every embryo is a story of hope. And behind every hopeful couple, there’s a dedicated team making sure nothing is left to chance.
Ready to take the first step? Book a free consultation with one of our specialists today — and let us help you write your own beginning.