SEARCH MENU CLOSE
IVF in Prague, Czech Republic
Close Image
IVF in Prague, Czech Republic
Articles

Blastocyst: Five-day embryo

6.10.2022 · 1 min reading
Blastocyst: Five-day embryo thumbnail

Most embryo transfers in IVF treatment are performed on the fifth day, when the embryo is in the blastocyst stage. But what is a blastocyst exactly and why is this stage so important?

A blastocyst is an early stage of embryo development that occurs on the fifth day after fertilisation. Blastocyst cells are divided into an inner layer – the embryoblast, from which the foetus is later formed, and an outer layer, the trophoblast, which forms the placenta.

At this stage, the embryo is usually transferred to the uterus, while the quality of the blastocyst determines whether it will be suitable for transfer or not.

High-quality blastocyst with a regularly formed embryoblast and trophoblast

Discarded blastocyst with unsuitable development (absence of embryoblast and low-quality trophoblast with a small number of cells)

Blastocyst transfer

An embryo transfer is a short and painless procedure performed without anaesthesia in an operating room; the doctor introduces the embryo into the patient’s uterus with ultrasound imaging using a catheter.

Generally only one embryo is transferred, but if the patient wishes, two embryos can be transferred; in this case, however, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of a multiple pregnancy.

The transferred embryo is subsequently implanted in the uterine lining, i.e. the endometrium. Nidation (implantation of the embryo) may occasionally result in mild bleeding or spotting, but this does not mean that the process has failed.

Blastocyst cryopreservation

High-quality blastocysts that are not transferred in a given cycle can be frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen for the future. Embryos can be stored this way for an essentially unlimited period of time and used in further treatment.

Blastocyst cryopreservation enables repeating the transfer if the first embryo doesn’t implant. This increases the chance of a successful pregnancy without having to repeat the whole IVF cycle again.

Read more

Other articles

Vitamin D and fertility: How vitamin D can help you get pregnant thumbnail 5 min reading · Articles

Vitamin D and fertility: How vitamin D can help you get pregnant

Adequate levels of vitamin D contribute to the optimal functioning of the body not only during the treatment of infertility using assisted reproductive methods (for example, IVF), but also when trying to get pregnant naturally. This is because it helps the production of sex hormones and the proper functioning of the reproductive system. In women it supports the correct course of ovulation, in men it improves the quality of sperm

Progesterone during IVF and pregnancy thumbnail 4 min reading · Articles

Progesterone during IVF and pregnancy

Progesterone is a female reproductive hormone. Its production begins in small amounts already during the maturation of the follicles, increases after the formation of the corpus luteum and rises steeply in pregnancy.

Increase your well-being during the fertility period thumbnail 6 min reading · Articles

Increase your well-being during the fertility period

Practical tips from the webinar with our fertility coach Katharina Appia. 

BOOK YOUR FIRST CONSULTATION

Take the first step towards treating infertility

Contact Icon
We will help you Contact us We’ll get back to you by the next business day
Help Line Lady
IVF in Prague, Czechia +420 257 225 751 We’re online Mon-Fri 8:00 - 16:00