Know Your Embryologist: The Behind-the-Scenes Baby Makers

Biotechnology
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In an IVF lab or hospital,when a cycle ends in success, it’s usually the clinician who receives all the credit. And while they absolutely deserve it, there’s a group of unsung professionals working quietly behind the lab walls. The andrologists and embryologists.

So, who are they?

An andrologist is primarily focused on the male side of the fertility lab. Their responsibilities include semen analysis, sperm freezing and storage, and processing semen for IUI and IVF/ICSI procedures. They may also assist in advanced processes like PRP(Platelet Rich Plasma) and PBMC( Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells) preparations.

An embryologist, on the other hand, handles the oocyte (egg) and embryo aspects of the IVF cycle. Their work includes:

  • Screening oocytes from follicular fluid
  • Denudation (removing cumulus cells from the egg)
  • Performing IVF and ICSI
  • Culturing and grading embryos
  • Freezing and thawing embryos
  • And finally, loading embryos into the transfer catheter

They’re also responsible for media and dish preparation, daily QC checks, and maintaining a sterile, VOC-free lab environment; all of which are crucial for healthy embryo development.

So, what are your thoughts?
Do you think embryology is still an under-recognized field in India?

Would you like to know more on how to become one?

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This is such a new information, I didn’t know about embryologist, the people that should actually be credited more. I think so it’s underrated now, but will definitely gain popularity in the future. As due to pollution and environmental changes, the fertility and conception issues will grow even more.

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I think all kinds of fertility treatments are becoming recognized as potential career options due to the growing need for reproductive assistance in our generation. Embryology still has a long way to go in India, like many other reproductive assistance technologies and professionals, but will definitely gain more recognition in the future.

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This is new information to me! I honestly didn’t know that embryologists and andrologists played such a big role in IVF. Their work sounds so detailed and important behind the scenes. It’s great to learn about these roles they definitely deserve more recognition.

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I had no idea about the important roles of andrologists and embryologists in IVF labs, They’re indeed unsung heroes.

- Yes, embryology seems under-recognized in India. They deserve more appreciation for their expertise and contributions to fertility treatments.

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So true, clinicians may be the face of IVF success, but the hands of behind microscope deserve just as much credit.

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