What happens to eggs and sperm in the IVF laboratory?

In the embryology laboratory: retrieved eggs are identified and classified as mature (MII) or immature. ICSI is performed — a single selected sperm is injected into each mature egg using a microscopic needle. Fertilisation is checked the next morning (2PN stage). Fertilised embryos are cultured in specialised incubators for 5 days, graded daily. Top blastocysts are transferred or vitrified (frozen) on Day 5–6.

What Happens During IVF Treatment?

Q: What happens during IVF treatment for the wife?

For the female partner: (1) Daily hormone injections for 10–14 days to stimulate multiple follicle development. (2) Regular monitoring ultrasound scans. (3) Trigger injection when follicles are ready. (4) Egg retrieval under IV sedation — 20–30 minute day procedure. (5) Progesterone support started after retrieval. (6) Embryo transfer — a painless 5-minute procedure on Day 5. (7) Beta-hCG blood test 14 days later. The most physically demanding phase is the stimulation period (injections and scans).

Q: What is the husband's role in IVF treatment?

The husband or male partner's role in IVF is critically important. He provides a semen sample on the day of egg retrieval (or has frozen sperm used). Before IVF: he should have a full semen analysis, and optimise sperm quality for 3 months (antioxidants, healthy lifestyle, no smoking/alcohol). On retrieval day: he arrives at the clinic to provide a fresh semen sample by masturbation in a private room. His emotional support during the stimulation phase, 2-week wait, and pregnancy test is invaluable to his partner.

IVF involves both partners — and the embryology laboratory. Understand the complete process: what the female partner goes through, the husband's role, what happens to your eggs and sperm in the lab, and what ICSI involves. Mother Hospitals & IVF Center, Boduppal, Hyderabad.

Quick Answer: During IVF, the female partner undergoes stimulation injections, monitoring scans, egg retrieval under sedation, and embryo transfer. The male partner provides a semen sample on retrieval day. In the laboratory, eggs are fertilised by ICSI (single sperm injected into each egg), embryos are cultured for 5 days to blastocyst stage, and the best embryo is transferred to the uterus.

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Partners Involved

Steps in IVF Process

Day 5

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What Happens — For Each Partner

IVF is a joint journey. Here is exactly what each partner goes through at each stage.

👩 The Female Partner

Pre-cycle Blood tests (AMH, FSH, LH, thyroid), Day 2 scan, uterine assessment
Days 2–13 Daily hormone injections (FSH ± LH) to grow multiple follicles
Days 5–11 Monitoring ultrasound scans every 2–3 days; dose adjustments
Days 5–13 GnRH antagonist injection added to prevent premature ovulation
Day 12–13 Trigger injection at precisely timed hour; fast from midnight
Day 14 Egg retrieval under IV sedation — 20–30 minutes; go home same day
Day 14+ Progesterone support started (pessaries/gel) and continued daily
Day 19 Embryo transfer — painless 5-minute procedure; rest 30 min then home
Day 33 Beta-hCG blood test — pregnancy confirmed

👨 The Male Partner

Pre-cycle Full semen analysis (WHO 2021 criteria); DFI test if indicated
3 months before Lifestyle optimisation — antioxidants (CoQ10, Vitamin C/E, Zinc), stop smoking, reduce alcohol
Pre-cycle If surgical sperm retrieval (TESA/PESA) needed — coordinated with IVF cycle
Stimulation phase Support partner emotionally; attend monitoring appointments
3 days before retrieval Sexual abstinence for 3 days to optimise semen sample quality
Day 14 (Retrieval Day) Attend clinic; provide fresh semen sample in private room at clinic
Embryo culture Await embryologist updates alongside partner
2-week wait Emotional support is critical — the most anxious phase for both partners
Day 33 Attend pregnancy test appointment for shared result

For the husband: Your role is not just logistical — your emotional support during the stimulation phase and two-week wait is the most important thing you can provide. Partners who feel supported report better IVF experiences regardless of outcome.

What Happens in the Embryology Laboratory

While both partners wait at home, this is happening in the lab — explained step by step.

1

Egg Identification (Day 0 — Retrieval Day)

Each aspirated follicle fluid is immediately passed through a small hatch to the embryologist. Under a microscope in the adjacent lab, each egg is identified and classified: MII (mature, ready for ICSI), MI (intermediate maturity), or GV (immature — cannot be used). Typically 70–80% of retrieved eggs are mature (MII).
2

Semen Preparation (Day 0)

The semen sample is processed by density gradient centrifugation or swim-up technique — separating motile, morphologically normal sperm from debris and immotile sperm. The best sperm are selected and concentrated for ICSI. In TESA/PESA cases, surgically retrieved sperm is processed similarly.
3

ICSI Fertilisation (Day 0 Afternoon)

Each mature egg is placed in a special injection dish with a tiny drop of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The embryologist selects a single morphologically normal, motile sperm under 400x magnification — sometimes using PICSI (hyaluronan binding) to select the most mature sperm. Using a glass needle thinner than a human hair, the chosen sperm is immobilised and injected directly into the egg cytoplasm. Each egg takes approximately 2–3 minutes. → ICSI for male infertility
4

Fertilisation Check (Day 1 — Next Morning)

16–18 hours after ICSI, each injected egg is examined under the microscope for signs of normal fertilisation — two pronuclei (2PN). One pronucleus comes from the egg; one from the sperm. Abnormally fertilised eggs (1PN, 3PN) cannot be used. Normally fertilised embryos (2PN) are returned to the incubator. The embryologist calls both partners with the fertilisation report.
5

Embryo Culture (Days 1–5)

Embryos develop in individually monitored chambers or time-lapse incubators that record every cell division without disturbing the embryo. Daily grading: Day 2 (4-cell), Day 3 (8-cell / cleavage), Day 4 (morula), Day 5 (blastocyst). Time-lapse incubators allow the embryologist to review division patterns without removing embryos from the optimal temperature, pH, and gas environment.
6

Blastocyst Grading & Selection (Day 5)

Each blastocyst is graded using the Gardner grading system: expansion stage (3–6) + ICM grade (A/B/C) + TE grade (A/B/C). The best blastocyst (e.g., 4AA, 5AB) is selected for transfer. Extra blastocysts are vitrified (glass-frozen) in liquid nitrogen — survival rate >95% on thawing. → Blastocyst grading guide

Dr. E. Prashanthi Reddy

MBBS, DGO · ART Training — Kiel University, Germany · TGMC Reg: 50624
19+ Years Experience · 5,000+ ICSI Cycles · Mother Hospitals & IVF Center, Boduppal, Hyderabad
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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during IVF treatment for the wife?

The female partner undergoes: daily hormone injections (FSH ± LH) for 10–14 days; monitoring scans every 2–3 days; GnRH antagonist injections; a precisely timed trigger injection; egg retrieval under IV sedation (20–30 minutes, day procedure); progesterone support; and embryo transfer (5-minute painless procedure on Day 5). A blood test 14 days later confirms pregnancy.

What is the husband's role in IVF treatment?

The husband undergoes: semen analysis and DFI test pre-cycle; lifestyle optimisation and antioxidant supplementation for 3 months before IVF; 3-day sexual abstinence before retrieval day; attending the clinic on retrieval day to provide a fresh semen sample; emotional support throughout the cycle — especially during the stimulation phase and two-week wait. His emotional presence and support is the most important thing he can provide.

What is ICSI and how is it done?

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is a fertilisation technique where a single sperm is selected under high magnification and injected directly into a mature egg using a microscopic glass needle. The procedure takes 2–3 minutes per egg. Fertilisation is checked the next morning. ICSI is used in the vast majority of cycles at Mother Hospitals — it is the most effective fertilisation method when sperm quality is impaired or when previous IVF cycles showed poor fertilisation.

How are embryos grown in the lab?

Fertilised embryos are cultured in specialised incubators that maintain ideal temperature (37°C), pH (7.2–7.4), and gas composition (5% O2, 6% CO2). They are graded daily from Day 1 (2-cell) through to Day 5 (blastocyst). Mother Hospitals aims for Day 5 blastocyst culture in all cycles with ≥4 embryos developing — blastocysts have higher implantation rates than Day 3 cleavage embryos.

What Happens During IVF Treatment?

What Happens — For Each Partner

👩 The Female Partner

👨 The Male Partner

What Happens in the Embryology Laboratory

Egg Identification (Day 0 — Retrieval Day)

Semen Preparation (Day 0)

ICSI Fertilisation (Day 0 Afternoon)

Fertilisation Check (Day 1 — Next Morning)

Embryo Culture (Days 1–5)

Blastocyst Grading & Selection (Day 5)

Dr. E. Prashanthi Reddy

Frequently Asked Questions

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