Embryogenesis

Greece, Marousi

About the Hospital


Embryogenesis IVF was founded in Athens in 1991 as the first modern IVF Clinic in Greece by Dr Mastrominas and Dr Davies. Their passion for human life, delivery of excellent services and personalised fertility treatments quickly established Embryogenesis as the leading Greek IVF clinic, achieving the impressive number of 30000 children born through the joint efforts of the specialised team of Gynaecologists, Embryologists, Geneticists and Nursing staff. The team of Embryogenesis is always at the forefront of state of the art IVF services and we are proud to be the pioneering clinic in Greece to have in our history:

the first child in Greece born after ICSI treatment for male factor infertility
the first child in Greece born following testicular biopsy (TESE) for azoospermia
the first child in Greece born following Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis for b-Thalassaemia
the first child in Greece born following Oocyte vitrification
the first child in Greece born following Blastocyst biopsy and Karyomapping

Our highly trained staff has extensive experience covering the whole spectrum of fertility treatments while we are the only clinic in Greece to offer in house Pre-implantation genetic Screening and genetic counselling. Embryogenesis is certified by the Greek Ministry of Health and holds an ISO (). All of our staff is here to assist you with passion, dedication and hard work in order to fulfil together your most precious dream, the creation of your family.




Location


Conventional IVF / ICSI

In recent years, science has achieved critical breakthroughs, and nowadays many couples experience the birth of one or more children through assisted reproduction. Evidently, the high pregnancy rates following IVF result from the production and utilisation of ample, good quality eggs and subsequent embryos, and mainly, through the selection process of the most competent embryos based on morphological criteria, morphokinetic data (through Time lapse imaging-EMBRYOSCOPE analysis) and genetic diagnosis (Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis/ PGS) The whole IVF process has been simplified over the last years minimizing the time required to reach the transfer of the embryos back in the uterus. The basic steps of IVF are the following:Initial Laboratory TestsOvarian StimulationEgg collection, Semen preparation & fertilizationEmbryo transferThe phase of ovarian stimulation begins usually on the first day of the period and lasts for approximately 12 days. Following egg collection and fertilization the developing embryos can be transferred back in the uterus either on the 3rd day of development (at the 6-8 cells stage) or on the 5th day of development (at the blastocyst stage).Intracytoplasmic sperm injection fertilization procedure (ICSI)Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) involves selecting and injecting a single sperm into an egg directly in order to fertilise it. The embryo is then cucltured for 2 to 5 days and then transferred to the woman's womb.The major advance that ICSI offers to IVF, is that as long as some sperm can be obtained (even in very low sperm count numbers), fertilisation is possible.ICSI can be recommended if:• very low sperm count• poor morphology (abnormally shaped) and/or poor motility• previous attempts at in vitro fertilisation (IVF) there was either failure of fertilisation or an unexpectedly low fertilisation rate• The male partner has had a vasectomy and sperm have been collected from the testicles or epididymis (TESE or MESA)

Embryologist
Ioanna Mastromina

Reproductive Medicine Unit



Program Includes

The first and crucial step for a successful IVF outcome is the extensive documentation of the possible infertility factors that might be implicated in each case. To this end, our Clinicians will need a range of different exams to verify the cause of infertility. Some of these may be

  • Hysterosalpingography
  • Hormonal Profiling for the Female patient (FSH, LH, E2, AMH, Prg)
  • Analysis of Sperm Parameters

According the relevant Greek legislation for patients undergoing IVF, certain hematological tests should be performed prior to initiation of the treatment.

These tests include:

  • Prenatal testing for the most common hereditary genetic diseases (such as b-Thalassemia and Cystic Fibrosis)
  • Testing for the most common transmittable diseases (HIV, Hepatitis, VDRL etc)

When a couple has had many previous IVF attempts and/or miscarriages then further, more specialized tests should be carried out that may include:

  • Testing of Blood Clotting (Thrombophilia)
  • Immunological Tests
  • Karyotype (testing of the DNA content of the future parents)

Ovarian Stimulation

Key for a successful IVF attempt is the production of adequate, good quality eggs and subsequent embryos. To this end, the patient undergoes a short hormonal treatment usually based on 2 Gonadotropins (Follicle Stimulating Hormone [FSH]/ Lutenizing Hormone [LH]) which are hormones that are naturally produced and circulated in our bodies, and are utilized in slightly higher concentrations during IVF. The ovarian stimulation is closely monitored by measuring the hormone produced by the maturing follicles (Estradiol) and by ultrasound imaging of the growing follicles.

Egg Retrieval, preparation of Sperm and Fertilisation

The egg retrieval procedure takes place is a quick process, under intravenous short-duration analgesia (10 to 15 minutes), without loss of consciousness and painlessly. Within 30 to 60 minutes after the completion of the procedure, the patient may leave the Unit's premises.

Sperm is produced and prepared the same day as the oocyte retrieval. During sperm preparation, an adequate number of spermatozoa with good morphology and motility are selected for insemination or sperm injection. Normally, fertilization rate is about 60%.


Embryo Transfer

Embryo transfer is a simple procedure that takes about 15 minutes without the need for anesthesia. A special catheter is inserted into the uterus, and the embryos are carefully placed into the endometrium. After this, the catheter is checked under the microscope for the unlikely presence of an embryo.

The patient remains at rest for 15 to 30 minutes. For the following 2 to 3 days, the patient is advised to simply reduce her activities, since it's not scientifically proved that absolute immobilization following the embryo transfer provides any tangible benefits. 12 to 14 days after the embryo transfer, a pregnancy test is carried out in order to determine the IVF outcome.