Unit
- Oocyte retrieval: The process of collecting mature oocytes from ovarian follicles under ultrasound guidance, typically performed 36 hours after trigger injection.
- Fertilization assessment: Evaluating oocytes 16-18 hours after insemination for the presence of two pronuclei and second polar body extrusion, confirming normal fertilization.
- Embryo culture: Incubating fertilized embryos in specialized media under controlled atmospheric conditions for 2-6 days until transfer or cryopreservation.
- Embryo transfer: Selecting the best quality embryo and transferring it into the uterine cavity using a soft catheter, guided by ultrasound for optimal placement.
- Cryopreservation: Freezing surplus embryos or oocytes using vitrification techniques, storing them in liquid nitrogen for future use.
- Data recording: Documenting each step, including patient identifiers, gamete source, culture conditions, and outcomes, to ensure traceability and quality control.
- Quality control checks: Daily monitoring of incubator temperature, CO2 levels, and media pH to maintain stable culture conditions.
- Communication with clinical team: Providing timely updates on embryo development to the clinician for scheduling transfer or biopsy procedures.
- Sperm preparation: Processing semen samples via density gradient centrifugation or swim up to isolate motile, morphologically normal spermatozoa, removing seminal plasma and cellular debris before insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection: Injecting a single, carefully selected sperm directly into the cytoplasm of a mature oocyte using a micropipette, typically performed for male factor infertility or previous fertilization failure.
- Assisted hatching: Creating a small opening in the zona pellucida using laser or acidic Tyrode solution to facilitate embryo hatching and implantation, often applied to embryos with poor prognosis or thick zona.
- Embryo biopsy: Removing one or a few cells from a cleavage stage or blastocyst embryo for preimplantation genetic testing, performed with a laser and holding pipette under strict sterile conditions.
Scope of Practice
Role: IVF Laboratory Manager
Within scope:
- Overseeing daily lab operations and workflow coordination.
- Training and supervising embryologists and lab technicians.
- Implementing quality assurance protocols and documenting deviations.
- Ordering and managing laboratory supplies and equipment maintenance.
- Participating in ethical and regulatory audits.
Outside scope:
- Diagnosing patient infertility or prescribing treatment plans.
- Performing oocyte retrieval or embryo transfer procedures (clinical acts).
- Interpreting genetic results for patient counseling.
- Altering culture media formulations without manufacturer validation.
- Approving patient treatment cycles without clinical oversight.
Quick Revision
- The IVF lab workflow includes oocyte retrieval, fertilization, embryo culture, transfer, and cryopreservation.
- Fertilization is confirmed by visualizing two pronuclei approximately 18 hours post-insemination.
- Embryo culture requires precise environmental control including temperature, pH, and gas composition.
- The lab manager coordinates operations and ensures compliance with quality standards.