IVF Knowledge

Most major shifts in medicine do not arrive with fanfare. They arrive in research papers, conference presentations, and careful laboratory work that takes years to reach the people it could help. In-vitro gametogenesis, known as IVG, feels like one of those shifts. The premise is remarkable in its simplicity. Take an ordinary adult cell, a skin cell or a blood cell, reprogram it into a stem cell, and then guide it through the biological processes that produce a mature egg or sperm. No surgical retrieval. No hormone stimulation. Just cells, carefully coaxed into becoming something extraordinary. Professor Katsuhiko Hayashi of the University of Osaka has stated that viable human eggs and sperm created this way could be a reality within ten years. His work and that of colleagues at the University of Kyoto has been among the most cited in this field. California-based Conception Biosciences, with investment from Sam Altman among others, is working toward the same goal from a commercial an...

Cryogenic equipment procurement in IVF tends to focus on the obvious: storage vessels and straws. The categories that get missed are often the ones that cause the most disruption when they run out or fail. Here are five areas worth reviewing in any IVF cryogenic equipment audit. 1. VESSEL SPECIFICATION BEYOND CAPACITY Most laboratories compare storage vessels by headline capacity. The two figures that actually determine day-to-day running cost are static evaporation rate and neck diameter. A 20l liquid nitrogen dewar with a narrow neck will need topping up far less frequently than a wider-neck model of the same nominal capacity. For larger programmes, CryoNest (XL, XXL, XXXL) and CryoCan (30-6, 47-6, 47-10) vessels from Cryolab offer configurations matched to different programme volumes. 2. INTERNAL ORGANISATION AS A CLINICAL RISK ISSUE A storage vessel without a consistent internal organisation system is a patient safety concern. CBS Daisy Goblets, canisters, cryocanes and visotubes a...

If you manage an IVF laboratory, here is the honest question: when did you last review your cryogenic PPE setup against what your staff actually handle day to day? Liquid nitrogen at minus 196 degrees Celsius is handled so routinely that the risk assessment can start to feel like a formality. It should not. Here is what a properly equipped IVF laboratory looks like for cryogenic safety: Gloves four lengths available for a reason. Wrist-length for brief tasks, mid-arm for filling procedures, elbow and shoulder-length for large open-neck dewar work and bulk transfers. Staff should have access to the right length for the task, not just whatever is on the shelf. Face shields not optional for open liquid nitrogen handling. Goggles cover the eyes. A face shield covers the whole face. Liquid nitrogen splashes in all directions, not just upward. Oxygen monitor the most frequently missing item in smaller laboratories. Nitrogen vaporisation depletes oxygen silently. A fixed monitor with an ...

This is a question that comes up regularly in laboratory procurement: do we need a liquid nitrogen dewar or a cryogenic storage vessel? The answer, for most IVF clinics and research laboratories, is both because they serve completely different purposes. A working dewar  such as a standard 20 litre liquid nitrogen dewar is designed for daily laboratory use. Staff handle it regularly, dispensing LN2 into storage tanks, preparing cryopreservation media, and keeping the lab's cryogenic workflow moving. It needs to be manageable in size, easy to pour from, and robust enough to withstand daily handling. At 20 litres, it sits at the sweet spot of capacity and practicality for most laboratory settings. A storage vessel is designed for something entirely different holding biological samples at -196°C for months or years with minimal intervention. These vessels prioritise insulation efficiency, sample organisation, and long static storage times over ease of handling. Cryolab's CryoCa...

It is one of the most common questions in IVF and research laboratory procurement — what is the difference between a liquid nitrogen dry shipper and a cryogenic storage vessel, and which one do you need? The answer is simpler than most people expect. The CryoNest® is your on-site storage solution. The 95-litre CryoNest® XL holds significantly more samples than a standard 47-litre tank without increasing your laboratory footprint, with extended hold times and easy sample access built in. It stays in your lab. The CryoStork is your transport solution. Available in 2 to 10 litre capacities, it absorbs liquid nitrogen into its inner lining — meaning no free liquid, no spillage risk, and full IATA compliance for international air freight. It leaves your lab with your samples. The simplest rule: samples staying in your facility go in a CryoNest. Samples leaving your facility go in a CryoStork. Cryolab supplies both ranges worldwide to IVF clinics, fertility laboratories, research facilities ...

  Walk into any serious life science, biobank, or industrial laboratory, and you’ll see that the cryogenic workflow is much more than a single piece of equipment. It is an ecosystem, held together by carefully chosen cryogenic accessories and consumables that make safe, repeatable, and compliant low-temperature work possible. Quick Definition:   “ Cryogenic “  refers to temperatures below −150°C (−238°F). At these extremes, standard lab materials behave very differently, which is why specialist accessories and consumables are essential. Understanding Accessories vs. Consumables Cryogenic accessories are durable, reusable items that support operations over time — insulated gloves, face shields, liquid nitrogen dispensing canes, dewar vessels, storage racks, and transfer equipment. Cryogenic  supplies consumables  are items that are used up and replaced regularly, including cryovials, straws, labels, O-rings, and disposable PPE such as aprons and sleeve protectors...

  When it comes to cryopreservation in an IVF setting, there is no room for compromise. The straws used to store embryos and sperm are not mere consumables they are the last line of defence between a patient’s sample and the outside world. Choosing the right ones matters enormously. This guide covers everything you need to know about high security straws for embryo and sperm storage: how they work, why the CBS design has become the industry benchmark, and what to look for when sourcing embryo storage straws in the UK. What Are High Security Straws? High security straws are specialised cryogenic tubes designed for the long-term storage of biological material — primarily embryos and sperm — in liquid nitrogen (LN2). Unlike standard open-ended straws, high security straws feature a hermetically sealed design that prevents cross-contamination between samples and eliminates the risk of LN2 ingress. This sealed construction is critical in a regulated IVF environment. The Human Fertilisat...

  When it comes to the safe transport of biological samples at cryogenic temperatures, not all dry shippers are equal. Whether you are shipping embryos between fertility clinics, moving cell lines between research institutions, or transporting valuable biobank material across the country or overseas, you need a dry shipper you can trust absolutely. CryoStork® Series of Dry Shippers has been designed from the ground up for exactly this purpose delivering safe, secure, and efficient transportation of biological samples in the liquid nitrogen (LN₂) vapour phase. Available in a range of sizes from 2 litres up to the V10, there is a CryoStork dry shipper for every application and budget. This guide covers everything you need to know: how dry shippers work, what the CryoStork range offers, dry shipper price expectations, and how to choose the right model for your needs. What Is a Dry Shipper and Why Does It Matter? A dry shipper is a specialist cryogenic container designed to keep biolog...

When it comes to protecting irreplaceable biological samples embryos, sperm, oocytes, stem cells, and tissue the quality of your liquid nitrogen dewar can make all the difference. Whether you’re running a busy IVF clinic, a fertility research facility, or a hospital cell-banking programme, choosing the right cryogenic storage dewar is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make. The Cryolab CryoNest® Series has been purpose-built to meet the demands of modern biological laboratories combining exceptional LN2 storage capacity, innovative proprietary rack systems, and long-term reliability in a compact, cost effective design that outperforms any standard 20L liquid nitrogen dewar or 50L liquid nitrogen dewar on the market. What Is a Liquid Nitrogen Dewar? A liquid nitrogen dewar also called an LN2 storage vessel, cryogenic dewar, or nitrogen storage dewar is a specialised, vacuum-insulated container designed to safely hold liquid nitrogen at ultra-low temperatures (−196°C). In IVF...