The lab itself

[lindi]

Are the embryos sensitive to conditions within the lab? I have heard of special labs that claim to help the fragile embryos keep protected while procedures like pgd and icsi are done. Does this make a difference?

[Carole]

Lindi,
Yes, embryos are sensitive to lab conditions. If the culture medium is of poor quality, or too hot or too cold of at the wrong pH, embryos do not thrive. Some labs are better than others but I think that high quality labs optimize their conditions for all the embryos. I don't think there are any special lab conditions for embryos undergoing PGD or ICSI that you wouldn't also provide for "regular" embryos. Both PGD and ICSI are technical procedures that pierce the zona pellucida (the shell around the embryo) and have the potential to harm the embryo or egg, respectively, if done poorly. The best protection for the embryo is to be in the hands of a good technician. Great care should be taken for all embryos in the lab environment which means proper control of temperature and pH in a high quality culture medium because the lab environment attempts to mimic the natural conditions inside the Fallopian tubes. If you want to learn more about lab conditions, I discussed this topic in a couple of previous posts in my blog:
http://fertilitylabinsider.com/2010/08/quality-assurance-in-the-ivf-lab/
http://fertilitylabinsider.com/2010/09/common-practices-of-the-best-ivf-programs/
Hope this helps. :)
Carole