Reproductive biology
Discover in depth the biological processes related to fertilization, embryo implantation and all aspects affecting human reproductive biology.
What is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD).When is it indicated?
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a very useful tool in Assisted Reproduction for the genetic selection of embryos prior to their transfer to the maternal uterus. It allows the selection of healthy embryos for a […]
Embryonic arrest, why don’t all of my embryos develop equally?
When one starts an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment, one of the most frequent concerns is the number of high quality embryos that can be obtained. This number is variable and depends on several factors such as the ovarian reserve and […]
What is the ‘implantation window’ in fertility treatment?
The ‘implantation window’ is the name we give to the period of time during which the endometrium in the mother’s uterus is in an appropriate state for embryo implantation to take place. When does the implantation window […]
Assisted hatching is a technique used in the in vitro fertilisation laboratory that consists of making a small hole in the membrane that surrounds the embryo, the zona pellucida (ZP), with the aim of making […]
Why aren’t all embryos obtained from an IVF cycle suitable for freezing?
Today, in In Vitro Fertilization treatments, it is not extraordinary to find ourselves on the day of embryo transfer with a high number of good quality embryos. For a fresh transfer we shall be electing […]
In the ovary, there are structures known as follicles that contain the oocytes or ova. When a patient undergoes in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment, ovarian reserve is one of the most relevant pieces of data and it […]
Embryo fragmentation is a phenomenon that takes place in most embryos and its origin is not entirely clear. Some studies would seem to suggest that the fragments come from cell remains that have no nucleus […]
A negative beta hCG test. Now what?
What happens following the wait (‘the beta hCG wait‘) which generates so much anxiety whilst, at the same time, creating the hope that our lives may be changed forever when, in the end, the result […]
How many eggs on average are donated on an Egg Donation treatment at Instituto Bernabeu?
In Spain, we performed 40% of all egg donation cycles in Europe. The experience accumulated at Instituto Bernabeu in the last decades, allows us to offer to our patients a high quality and personalized treatment. When […]
Criteria for embryo classification
Embryos develop from the moment they are fertilised up until transfer to the mother’s uterus and this development process is assessed by embryologists. The embryos that have evolved correctly and are in the best condition are selected […]