Do You Know the Function of an Incubator? In a fertility clinic, technology plays an essential role in fertility treatments and assisted reproduction. One of the most important pieces of equipment is the incubator. Below, we’ll share some information about incubators and their role during a treatment.

Incubators are key to the success of fertility treatments, as they create a controlled and protected environment for embryos before being transferred to the uterus.

What Are Incubators?

Incubators are specialized medical devices used in embryology laboratories to maintain and cultivate embryos under optimal conditions.

These devices replicate the uterine environment, including precise levels of temperature, humidity, and gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. By providing a controlled environment, incubators ensure that embryos have the best possible development before being transferred to the future mother’s uterus.

Their main function is to protect embryos from any external fluctuations, such as temperature changes or contamination, which could compromise their development. This is especially crucial in in vitro fertilization (IVF), where embryos are extremely sensitive during their early stages of formation.

We invite you to read our article: Fertility Treatment with Egg Donor. We believe it may interest you.

How Are Incubators Used in Fertility Treatment?

Incubators come into play after the fertilization of the eggs.

The first step is egg fertilization.

In an IVF treatment, the patient’s eggs (or those from a donor) are fertilized in the lab with a sperm sample from their partner or a donor. Once fertilized, the eggs become embryos.

The embryos are placed in an incubator.

They are carefully placed on culture plates with a special medium containing the necessary nutrients for their development. The plates are then introduced into the incubator, where they remain for several days.

Constant monitoring is performed.

While the embryos are in the incubator (usually between 3 and 6 days), embryologists monitor their development to evaluate their quality and progress.

The best-quality embryos are selected.

After a few days, embryologists select the highest-quality embryos to be transferred to the uterus or cryopreserved. This ensures that the embryos with the best chances of implantation and successful development are used.

Embryo transfer is performed.

Finally, the selected embryos are transferred to the patient’s uterus through a simple and non-invasive procedure. The goal is for the embryo to implant in the endometrium and begin its development as a normal pregnancy.

What Are the Benefits of Incubators?

Controlled and safe environment: They ensure optimal conditions for embryonic development, reducing the risks of contamination or damage.
Constant monitoring: Technologies like “time-lapse” allow embryologists to observe every stage of embryonic development without disturbing the environment.
Improved success rates: By offering ideal conditions, they increase the chances of obtaining viable embryos and, consequently, higher pregnancy rates.

At Advanced Fertility Center Cancun, our team of specialists provides the professional and compassionate care you deserve.

Now that we’ve shared some information about the function of an incubator, we’d love to know what other questions or concerns you have about Advanced Fertility Center Cancun that our medical team can address. Please share them in the comments.

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