Clayo Clinic is the most innovative IVF Clinic in the Czech Republic

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (into the oocyte)

A type of fertilisation where the embryologist directly injects a selected sperm into the egg.

A unique treatment method developed by Dr Daniel Hlinka, based on monitoring retrieved eggs (oocytes) in a laboratory setting. This is a non-invasive method, utilising polarisation microscopy, which recognises the maturity of the eggs and determines the optimal stage of ICSI fertilisation (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), thereby maximising the number of high-quality embryos suitable for transfer. The method is proposed mainly for poor/delayed responders.

MESA / TESE

Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration / Testicular Sperm Extraction

Microsurgical retrieval of sperm. It is used in patients with obstructive azoospermia.

LAISS

Laser-Assisted Immotile Sperm Selection

The viability of sperm is a fundamental requirement for successful ICSI treatment. The LAISS method utilises a laser pulse directed at the tail of the sperm. If the tail starts to bend, the sperm is considered viable and suitable for fertilisation. It is a safe method recommended in MESA / TESE IVF cycles as well as in other cases of immotile sperm.

MACS

Magnetic-Activated Cell Sorting

The MACS method uses a magnetic field to select sperm with damaged genetic material. Healthy sperm are separated for further use, such as in ICSI fertilisation or freezing.

Microchip

Natural selection of sperm using a chip without the use of chemicals.

Swim-out

Method of sperm selection in cases of severe OTA syndrome (oligo-astheno-terato zoospermia), i.e. the presence of a very small number of almost immobile sperm.

Continuous monitoring and evaluation of embryo vitality

The continuous recording of embryo development allows for a transparent assessment and presentation of their development from the day of fertilization to the day of transfer. This method helps to detect cell division abnormalities and also allows significantly fewer interventions in cultivation, leading to the selection of the maximum number of viable embryos for transfer.

The standard, uninterrupted period of embryo cultivation from fertilisation to transfer is 3 days. Extended cultivation to the blastocyst stage (blastocyst transfer) takes 5-6 days and, in combination with Time-lapse System and PGT examination, represents the most comprehensive system for embryo evaluation. (Note: blastocyst transfer is not suitable for all patients, especially not for "low responders" with a low number of retrieved eggs.)

A method used in the IVF process to genetically test embryos for their health. Embryos can be screened for a certain number or all chromosomes to check for any missing or extra ones. For example, Down syndrome can be ruled out. Furthermore, embryos can be tested for diseases that occur in the family and pose a realistic risk of inheritance to offspring.

A method of rapid freezing used for cryopreservation of embryos and oocytes. This method is more expensive than the previously used slow freezing, but it ensures better survival of embryos or oocytes after thawing. Theoretically, embryos/oocytes can be cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen for an infinite period of time.

Laser-assisted zona thinning

The embryo is surrounded by a protective shell called the zona pellucida. When it starts to implant, this layer becomes thinner and eventually ruptures to allow the embryo to exit the shell and implant. By performing laser thinning of this shell, we ensure that the embryo expends less energy and can easily exit the shell and implant.

Media used during transfer to enhance better communication between the embryo and the uterine lining and facilitate embryo implantation after transfer. They have been proven to increase the success of embryo implantation.

In the cases, when there is repeated implantation failure after transferring of high-quality embryos, we recommend the transfer of embryos at different stages of development (D3, D5). It can cover a wider implantation window of uterine receptivity and increases the chances of successful embryo implantation. This approach is a non-invasive alternative to ERA test.