Blastocyst Transfer

Recent advances in IVF laboratory methods have allowed for the successful culture of embryos to the blastocyst stage. Blastocysts may have a better potential to implant into the uterine wall than earlier stage embryos. Many embryos stop growing at the four- to eight-cell stage, probably because of some inherent problem. Therefore, fewer embryos will have the ability to grow to the blastocyst stage. Those that successfully reach the blastocyst stage are probably more developmentally competent than earlier stage embryos. As well, their stage of development when replaced into the uterus is very similar to what it would be in a natural conception cycle.