ABSTRACT
There are many factors that could affect the success of an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Program. Some of these factors include patient selection, the stimulation protocol utilized, as well as oocyte retrieval. The embryology laboratory is arguably the most crucial part of a successful ART program, as it is responsible for culture and insemination of oocytes, as well as monitoring embryo growth and development. Fertilized eggs are then cultured for an additional 1-5 days prior to embryo transfer. Micromanipulation procedures such as assisted hatching (AH) or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) also require appropriate equipment and laboratory conditions in addition to skilled laboratory personnel. The embryologist then loads the catheter microscopically, the physician appropriately inserts the catheter into the uterine cavity and then gently expels the pre-embryos, although in some programs, the embryologist actually performs the transfer of pre-embryos. Thus, it takes a wellcoordinated team effort, as well as a good patient candidate, to make an ART cycle successful. As the importance of the embryology lab is well documented, this chapter will focus on some of the ways that clinical parameters can be adjusted so as to optimize success rates in an ART program.
