IVF Knowledge

If you work in an IVF laboratory, you already know that precision is everything. You also know that the terminology used to describe laboratory instruments is not always the precision instrument it should be. Stripping Pipette and Denuding Pipette — Meet Your Identical Twin Before an oocyte can undergo ICSI, it needs to be freed from the cloud of cumulus cells surrounding it. This pipette is called a stripping pipette in some labs, a denuding pipette in others. The terms are interchangeable. The instrument is identical. Three Biopsy Pipettes That Are Definitely Not Identical Polar body biopsy pipette: used to sample the polar body for oocyte genetic assessment. Fine bore, ~20–30 µm. Blastomere biopsy pipette: used on day 3 cleavage-stage embryos for PGT. ~30–40 µm. Trophectoderm biopsy pipette: used on day 5/6 blastocysts, the current gold standard for PGT in the UK. ~25–35 µm. Specialist Tools Worth Knowing The TESE pipette handles testicular sperm extraction. The zona dissectio...

  The MVE XC 47/11 is a 47 litre cryogenic storage tank designed for the long-term preservation of embryos, sperm, and other biological materials in IVF laboratories and research facilities. Its structure is engineered to ensure efficient liquid nitrogen retention, helping laboratories maintain stable storage conditions over extended periods. The model is widely used across the UK due to its balance of performance, durability, and reliability. Pricing for the MVE XC 47/11 in the UK can vary depending on configuration, accessories, and supply availability. Laboratories often request tailored quotations based on their specific requirements. Cryolab supplies MVE cryogenic tanks and provides support for IVF clinics and laboratories across the UK. Visit https://cryolab.co.uk for further details.

  We are excited to share that Cryolab will be exhibiting at ESHRE 2026, the world's leading reproductive medicine conference, taking place in London this year. As a UK specialist in cryogenic IVF equipment and consumables since 2000, ESHRE is the conference closest to our heart. It brings together embryologists, fertility specialists, lab scientists, and researchers from across the globe — exactly the community we have been proud to serve for over 25 years. This year we will be presenting our full product range including CryoStork® Dry Shippers, CBS Vitrification Kits, SpermScope® Cell Analysis Chambers, CryoNest® Storage Dewars, and our comprehensive range of IVF consumables and accessories. If you are attending ESHRE 2026, we would love to meet you. Come and see our products in person, speak with our team, and find out how Cryolab can support your laboratory's cryogenic supply needs. To book a meeting: info@cryolab.co.uk   |   01243 837177   |   cryol...

  If you work in a laboratory, biobank, IVF clinic or any setting involving cryogenic storage, choosing the right marker pen is one of those decisions that seems small until it isn't. The wrong pen costs you samples. The right pen costs you almost nothing. What to look for in a cryogenic marker pen: Temperature rating. Your pen must be rated to at least -196°C for liquid nitrogen storage and -80°C for ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers. Anything less and you're gambling. Ink permanence. The ink must be permanently bonded — not just "permanent" in the room-temperature sense. True cryogenic permanent ink stays bonded through extreme cold and multiple freeze-thaw cycles without flaking or fading. Alcohol resistance. Labs disinfect constantly. Your marker needs to withstand ethanol wipes and solvent-based cleaning without the writing disappearing. Tip precision. Fine tip is almost always the right choice for lab applications. Cryovials, microtubes and sample ...

We are delighted to share some exciting news - a remarkable conservation charity working to cryopreserve the genetic material of endangered species before it is too late.  Nature's SAFE runs a frozen wildlife biorepository, safeguarding biological samples from some of the world's most threatened animals. The CryoStork® V10 will help them transport these precious specimens safely in the field, without the need for free liquid nitrogen.  In the words of our Director, Sian Louise Barker: "Their commitment to the conservation and long-term cryopreservation of endangered species is nothing short of inspiring."  If you are a partner, distributor, or organisation that works with cryogenic equipment and would like to explore supporting Nature's SAFE, please reach out to us or visit them directly. Every piece of equipment matters.   Learn more at cryolab.co.uk    #Conservation #EndangeredSpecies #Cryogenics #NaturesSAFE #CryoStork #Biodiversity 

  For decades, sperm motility has been assessed manually under a microscope. While this method is widely used, it has clear limitations. Human observation introduces variability, fatigue, and subjective interpretation. CASA systems have changed this by using imaging technology and software algorithms to analyse sperm movement objectively. These systems evaluate thousands of sperm in seconds, providing consistent and repeatable results. As IVF demands increase, automation is becoming essential for modern andrology laboratories. 👉 Read more: https://cryolab.co.uk/sperm-motility-analysis-equipment/

  If you're an embryologist, a fertility nurse, or a clinic manager who wants a clear explanation without the lecture, here it is. A vitrification carrier is the small device that holds an egg (or embryo) during the ultrarapid freezing process that is vitrification. The carrier matters because how quickly the sample cools determines whether ice crystals form. No crystals = surviving cells. The carrier needs to hold a tiny volume so the cooling is fast enough. The warming protocol is the carefully choreographed process of getting the egg out of vitrified storage and back to a state where it can be fertilised. You remove the cryoprotectants through a series of dilution steps while managing the osmotic shift to avoid rupturing the membrane. Do it wrong and the egg doesn't survive. Do it right and survival rates are consistently above 80%. The practical takeaway: use a matched vitrification and warming kit. The kits are designed and validated together. Mixing brands or improv...