Time-lapse embryo imaging is an emerging
non-invasive
A medical procedure is defined as ''non-invasive'' when no break in the skin is created and there is no contact with the mucosa, or skin break, or internal body cavity beyond a natural or artificial body orifice. For example, deep palpation and pe ...
embryo selection
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a process of fertilisation where an egg is combined with sperm in vitro ("in glass"). The process involves monitoring and stimulating an individual's ovulatory process, removing an ovum or ova (egg or eggs) f ...
technique used in
reproductive biology
Reproductive biology includes both sexual and asexual reproduction.
Reproductive biology includes a wide number of fields:
* Reproductive systems
* Endocrinology
* Sexual development (Puberty)
* Sexual maturity
* Reproduction
* Fertility
Human ...
. It is used to help select embryos with lower risk of defects and/or greater potential of
implantation. The procedure involves taking thousands of pictures of the growing embryo
in vitro
''In vitro'' (meaning in glass, or ''in the glass'') studies are performed with microorganisms, cells, or biological molecules outside their normal biological context. Colloquially called "test-tube experiments", these studies in biology an ...
during incubation to study
morphology
Morphology, from the Greek and meaning "study of shape", may refer to:
Disciplines
* Morphology (archaeology), study of the shapes or forms of artifacts
* Morphology (astronomy), study of the shape of astronomical objects such as nebulae, galaxies ...
and morphokinetic parameters.
In terms of pregnancy rates, live births, or the risk of stillbirth or miscarriage there is a lack of evidence of sufficient quality to know if there is any difference between time-lapse embryo imaging and conventional embryo assessment in
in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). Further trials are needed in order to determine whether time-lapse embryo imaging can impact on outcomes such as live-birth for couples undergoing IVF or ICSI.
References
In vitro fertilisation
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