ABSTRACT
Upon first sight, embryo culture appears a rather simple procedure. In reality it is far from it, requiring a proactive quality control and quality assurance program, together with a high level of training for embryologists. Furthermore, a sufficient number of incubation chambers are required to maintain a stable environment for development in vitro. Therefore, embryo culture is more than using the appropriate culture media formulations. In order to optimize embryo development in vitro and maintain the viability of the conceptus, it is essential to consider the embryo culture system in its entirety. The embryo culture system consists of the media, gas phase, type of medium overlay, the culture vessel, the incubation chamber, ambient air quality, and the embryologists themselves. The concept of an embryo culture system highlights the interactions that exist not only between the embryo and its physical surroundings, but between all parameters within the laboratory (Fig 16.1). Only by taking such a holistic approach can one optimize embryo development in vitro.
