 --%3E%3Csvg version='1.1' id='Lager_1' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' xmlns:xlink='http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink' x='0px' y='0px' viewBox='0 0 1500 371.7' style='enable-background:new 0 0 1500 371.7%3B' xml:space='preserve'%3E%3Cstyle type='text/css'%3E.st0%7Bfill:%23005EA8%3B%7D%3C/style%3E%3Cg%3E%3Cpath class='st0' d='M237.9 12.6h-89.8v8.9l1.8 0.3c19.6 3 28.5 6.5 32 12.6c1.3 2.2 1.9 4.9 1.9 8.2c0 11.3-7.2 29.4-19 58.8c0 0-28.2 71.2-35.8 90.3c-3.6-9.2-47.8-121.4-47.8-121.4l-1.9-4.7c-3.2-8-6.8-16.7-6.8-24.1c0-3.1 0.6-5.9 2.1-8.4c3.6-6 12.5-9.8 26.3-11.3l1.9-0.2v-9H0v8.9l1.9 0.2c25.4 3 32.5 21.2 41.4 44.2l1 2.6c0 0 70.8 178.5 70.8 178.5h7.2l59.9-150.7l2.8-6.8c17.1-42.2 26.5-65.5 53-67.9l1.9-0.2v-9H237.9z'/%3E%3Cpath class='st0' d='M243.4 87.4l-40.9 14.9v6l1 0.6c18 11 18 14.4 18 27.3v63.2c-0.3 25.2-1 27.6-22.5 31l-1.8 0.3v8.9h76.7v-8.9l-1.8-0.3c-21.6-3.4-22.5-4.5-22.5-31V89.3l-5.5-2.1L243.4 87.4z'/%3E%3Cpath class='st0' d='M216.2 59.3c0 10.4 8.1 18.8 18 18.8c9.9 0 18-8.4 18-18.8c0-10.4-8.1-18.8-18-18.8C224.3 40.5 216.2 49 216.2 59.3'/%3E%3Cpath class='st0' d='M324.9 59.8h-3.7l-45.4 47.4l3.1 4.7h19.8v86.9c0 0 0 5.8 0 6.9c0 13.1 0.5 23.5 7.1 30.1c4.8 4.8 12.3 7.1 23.7 7.1c15.7 0 32.1-3.5 49.9-10.6l1.7-0.7l-2.2-9.2l-2.1 0.6c-5.3 1.5-11.3 2.2-17.8 2.2c-32.1 0-32.1-17.1-32.1-45.4v-68h49.1v-18H327V59.8H324.9z'/%3E%3Cpath class='st0' d='M433.7 87.4l-38.4 14.9v5.8l0.8 0.6c14.4 10.9 14.4 14.4 14.4 27.3v63.3c-0.3 25.2-0.9 27.6-20.9 31l-1.8 0.3v8.8h82v-8.9l-1.9-0.2c-29.2-3.5-29.2-5.6-29.2-31v-33.1l0-1.1c-0.3-17.4 2.2-46.8 22.4-48.8c5.2-0.5 11.7 4.9 16.5 8.8l3 2.4l1.2-0.6c8.4-4.2 17.3-13.1 17.3-22.5c0-10-7.6-17.2-18-17.2c-18.4 0-33.8 17.8-42.1 33.3c0.3-10.5 1-31.3 1-31.3l-5.6-2.1L433.7 87.4z'/%3E%3Cpath class='st0' d='M534.9 163.4c0-31.2 14.1-64.7 45.2-64.7c33.3 0 45.8 42.3 45.8 68.9c0 24.6-11.8 63.7-43.3 63.7C549.7 231.4 534.9 191.6 534.9 163.4 M501.7 165.7c0 45.4 32.3 77.1 78.6 77.1c44.1 0 78.7-34.4 78.7-78.4c0-45.4-32.2-77.1-78.3-77.1C535.7 87.3 501.7 121 501.7 165.7'/%3E%3Cpath class='st0' d='M710.6 0.3l-37.1 15V21l0.9 0.6c14.4 10.9 14.4 14.4 14.4 27.3v150.4c-0.3 25.2-1 27.6-22.5 31l-1.8 0.3v8.9h76.7v-8.9l-1.8-0.3c-21.6-3.4-22.5-4.5-22.5-31V2.1L711.4 0L710.6 0.3z'/%3E%3Cpath class='st0' d='M793.9 87.4L753 102.3v6l1 0.6c18 11 18 14.4 18 27.3v63.2c-0.3 25.2-1 27.6-22.5 31l-1.8 0.3v8.9h76.7v-8.9l-1.8-0.3c-21.6-3.4-22.5-4.5-22.5-31V89.3l-5.5-2.1L793.9 87.4z'/%3E%3Cpath class='st0' d='M766.7 59.3c0 10.4 8.1 18.8 18 18.8c9.9 0 18-8.4 18-18.8c0-10.4-8.1-18.8-18-18.8C774.7 40.5 766.7 49 766.7 59.3'/%3E%3Cpath class='st0' d='M868.3 36.2c-10.5 17.6-12.3 36.1-12.7 53.6c-1.8 1.1-25.3 15.4-25.3 15.4v6.6h25.2v87.6c-0.3 25.2-1 27.6-23.1 31l-1.8 0.3v8.9h82.9v-8.9l-1.9-0.2c-28-3.5-28-5.6-28-31v-87.6h40.4v-18h-40.4V76.3c0-23.1 3.2-61.7 24.9-61.7c14.2 0 27.4 17.4 32.5 24.9l0.6 0.9l1.1 0c6.2 0.2 11.5-1.5 15-4.8c2.9-2.8 4.4-6.5 4.4-11.1c0-17.8-23.4-24.4-38.2-24.4C902.7 0.2 881.9 13.7 868.3 36.2'/%3E%3Cpath class='st0' d='M987.7 98.7c14.1 0 22.2 14 25.3 28c-4.5 0.2-49.3 2.2-54.3 2.4C962.4 114.5 971.9 98.7 987.7 98.7 M925.2 168c0 42.7 29 74.8 67.4 74.8c23.1 0 45.7-15 59.1-39.1l0.9-1.6l-7.9-6.1l-1.3 1.8c-9.7 13.6-20.5 19.7-35 19.7c-14.5 0-27.2-5.5-36.9-16c-10.2-11-15.9-26.2-15.9-42.5c0-1.7 0.1-3.4 0.2-5.1c0 0 0.9-11.4 1.1-14.4h90.5l-0.1-2.2c-1.3-30.5-20.9-50.2-50-50.2C956.2 87.3 925.2 122 925.2 168'/%3E%3Cpath class='st0' d='M1436.4 173.1c0.6-90.8 69.3-98.9 63.2-133.3c-7.7-43.9-149-57.6-253.8-9.8c-36 16.4-67.6 33.7-98.5 57.3c-7.3 5.8-9.5 12.6-10 19.2c0.5 38.6 11.9 74.6 31.1 105.1c6-8.3 12.5-17 18.6-25.1c19.6-25.8 23.2-31.2 57.9-58.8c69.5-55.2 178.1-83.1 186.1-59.1c7.9 23.8-37.2 42.7-37.2 107.2c0 43.2 21.1 73.5 39.6 91.8v0c11 9.9 14.9 6.4 22.3 2.1c0.5-0.3 1-0.5 1.4-0.6c13-9.2 24.9-20 35.4-31.9C1459.4 223.9 1436.2 205 1436.4 173.1'/%3E%3C/g%3E%3Cg%3E%3Cpolygon points='950.2 360.9 937.6 329.4 930.1 329.4 947.5 370.8 952.7 370.8 970.1 329.4 962.7 329.4 '/%3E%3Crect x='980.2' y='329.4' width='6.6' height='41.5'/%3E%3Cpolygon points='994.8 335.2 1006.1 335.2 1006.1 370.8 1012.7 370.8 1012.7 335.2 1024 335.2 1024 329.4 994.8 329.4 '/%3E%3Cpath d='M1056.4 351.5c1.5-1.1 2.6-2.5 3.4-4.2c0.8-1.7 1.2-3.6 1.2-5.7c0-2.5-0.6-4.7-1.7-6.6c-1.1-1.8-2.7-3.2-4.8-4.2c-2-1-4.5-1.5-7.2-1.5h-12.9v41.5h6.6v-16.3h2.9l12.4 16.3h8.3l-13.6-17C1053.1 353.4 1054.9 352.6 1056.4 351.5z M1045.4 349h-4.4v-14.4h4.4c2.8 0 4.9 0.6 6.5 1.9c1.5 1.3 2.3 3 2.3 5.3c0 1.5-0.4 2.8-1.1 3.9c-0.7 1.1-1.7 1.9-3 2.5C1048.8 348.7 1047.2 349 1045.4 349z'/%3E%3Cpath d='M1107 334.9c-1.9-2-4.1-3.5-6.7-4.6c-2.5-1.1-5.2-1.7-8.1-1.7c-2.9 0-5.6 0.6-8.1 1.7c-2.5 1.1-4.7 2.6-6.7 4.6c-1.9 2-3.4 4.3-4.5 6.9c-1.1 2.6-1.6 5.4-1.6 8.4c0 3 0.5 5.8 1.6 8.4c1.1 2.6 2.6 4.9 4.5 6.9c1.9 2 4.1 3.5 6.7 4.6c2.5 1.1 5.2 1.7 8.1 1.7c2.9 0 5.6-0.6 8.1-1.7c2.5-1.1 4.8-2.6 6.7-4.6c1.9-2 3.4-4.3 4.5-6.9c1.1-2.6 1.6-5.4 1.6-8.4c0-3-0.5-5.8-1.6-8.4C1110.4 339.1 1108.9 336.9 1107 334.9z M1105 356.2c-0.7 1.9-1.7 3.5-2.9 4.8c-1.2 1.4-2.7 2.4-4.4 3.2c-1.7 0.8-3.5 1.1-5.5 1.1c-2 0-3.8-0.4-5.5-1.1s-3.1-1.8-4.4-3.2c-1.2-1.4-2.2-3-2.9-4.8c-0.7-1.9-1-3.9-1-6c0-2.2 0.3-4.2 1-6c0.7-1.8 1.7-3.4 2.9-4.8s2.7-2.4 4.4-3.2c1.7-0.8 3.5-1.1 5.5-1.1c2 0 3.8 0.4 5.5 1.1c1.7 0.8 3.2 1.8 4.4 3.2c1.2 1.4 2.2 3 2.9 4.8c0.7 1.8 1 3.9 1 6C1106 352.3 1105.6 354.3 1105 356.2z'/%3E%3Cpolygon points='1131.7 329.4 1125.1 329.4 1125.1 370.8 1147.5 370.8 1147.5 365.1 1131.7 365.1 '/%3E%3Crect x='1158' y='329.4' width='6.6' height='41.5'/%3E%3Cpolygon points='1179.4 370.8 1186 370.8 1186 353 1200.8 353 1200.8 347.2 1186 347.2 1186 335.2 1201.9 335.2 1201.9 329.4 1179.4 329.4 '/%3E%3Cpolygon points='1213.6 370.8 1235.9 370.8 1235.9 365.1 1220.2 365.1 1220.2 353 1235.3 353 1235.3 347.2 1220.2 347.2 1220.2 335.2 1235.9 335.2 1235.9 329.4 1213.6 329.4 '/%3E%3Cpath d='M1282.6 354.2h12.5v0.9c0 1.6-0.3 3-1 4.3c-0.7 1.3-1.6 2.4-2.7 3.3c-1.1 0.9-2.4 1.7-3.9 2.2c-1.4 0.5-2.9 0.8-4.5 0.8c-1.9 0-3.7-0.4-5.3-1.2c-1.6-0.8-3.1-1.9-4.3-3.3c-1.2-1.4-2.2-3.1-2.9-5c-0.7-1.9-1-4-1-6.3c0-2.1 0.3-4.1 0.9-6c0.6-1.9 1.5-3.5 2.7-4.9c1.2-1.4 2.6-2.5 4.3-3.3c1.7-0.8 3.7-1.2 5.9-1.2c2.3 0 4.5 0.4 6.7 1.3c2.2 0.9 4 2 5.5 3.6l3.2-5.1c-1.3-1.2-2.8-2.2-4.5-3.1c-1.7-0.8-3.4-1.5-5.3-1.9c-1.9-0.4-3.8-0.7-5.7-0.7c-3.2 0-6.1 0.6-8.7 1.7c-2.6 1.2-4.8 2.7-6.6 4.7c-1.8 2-3.2 4.3-4.2 6.9c-1 2.6-1.4 5.3-1.4 8.2c0 3.1 0.5 5.9 1.6 8.5c1 2.6 2.5 4.9 4.3 6.9c1.9 2 4 3.5 6.5 4.6c2.5 1.1 5.1 1.6 8 1.6c2.4 0 4.7-0.4 7-1.2c2.3-0.8 4.3-1.9 6.1-3.4c1.8-1.5 3.3-3.3 4.3-5.5c1.1-2.1 1.6-4.5 1.6-7.2V349h-19.2V354.2z'/%3E%3Cpath d='M1335.6 351.5c1.5-1.1 2.6-2.5 3.4-4.2c0.8-1.7 1.2-3.6 1.2-5.7c0-2.5-0.6-4.7-1.7-6.6c-1.1-1.8-2.7-3.2-4.8-4.2c-2-1-4.5-1.5-7.2-1.5h-12.9v41.5h6.6v-16.3h2.9l12.4 16.3h8.3l-13.6-17C1332.3 353.4 1334.1 352.6 1335.6 351.5z M1324.6 349h-4.4v-14.4h4.4c2.8 0 4.9 0.6 6.5 1.9c1.5 1.3 2.3 3 2.3 5.3c0 1.5-0.4 2.8-1.1 3.9c-0.7 1.1-1.7 1.9-3 2.5C1328 348.7 1326.4 349 1324.6 349z'/%3E%3Cpath d='M1386.2 334.9c-1.9-2-4.1-3.5-6.7-4.6c-2.5-1.1-5.2-1.7-8.1-1.7c-2.9 0-5.6 0.6-8.1 1.7c-2.5 1.1-4.7 2.6-6.7 4.6c-1.9 2-3.4 4.3-4.5 6.9c-1.1 2.6-1.6 5.4-1.6 8.4c0 3 0.5 5.8 1.6 8.4c1.1 2.6 2.6 4.9 4.5 6.9c1.9 2 4.1 3.5 6.7 4.6c2.5 1.1 5.2 1.7 8.1 1.7c2.9 0 5.6-0.6 8.1-1.7c2.5-1.1 4.8-2.6 6.7-4.6c1.9-2 3.4-4.3 4.5-6.9c1.1-2.6 1.6-5.4 1.6-8.4c0-3-0.5-5.8-1.6-8.4C1389.6 339.1 1388.1 336.9 1386.2 334.9z M1384.2 356.2c-0.7 1.9-1.7 3.5-2.9 4.8c-1.2 1.4-2.7 2.4-4.4 3.2s-3.5 1.1-5.5 1.1c-2 0-3.8-0.4-5.5-1.1s-3.1-1.8-4.4-3.2c-1.2-1.4-2.2-3-2.9-4.8c-0.7-1.9-1-3.9-1-6c0-2.2 0.3-4.2 1-6c0.7-1.8 1.7-3.4 2.9-4.8c1.2-1.4 2.7-2.4 4.4-3.2c1.7-0.8 3.5-1.1 5.5-1.1c2 0 3.8 0.4 5.5 1.1c1.7 0.8 3.2 1.8 4.4 3.2c1.2 1.4 2.2 3 2.9 4.8c0.7 1.8 1 3.9 1 6C1385.2 352.3 1384.9 354.3 1384.2 356.2z'/%3E%3Cpath d='M1427.6 354.3c0 3.8-0.7 6.6-2.1 8.3c-1.4 1.7-3.6 2.6-6.6 2.6c-3 0-5.2-0.9-6.6-2.6c-1.4-1.7-2.1-4.5-2.1-8.3v-24.9h-6.6v26.7c0 5.1 1.3 9 3.9 11.6c2.6 2.6 6.4 3.9 11.4 3.9c5.1 0 8.9-1.3 11.4-3.9c2.6-2.6 3.8-6.5 3.8-11.6v-26.7h-6.6V354.3z'/%3E%3Cpath d='M1468.5 330.8c-2.1-0.9-4.4-1.4-7.1-1.4h-12.9v41.5h6.6v-16.5h6.3c2.7 0 5.1-0.5 7.1-1.5c2.1-1 3.7-2.5 4.8-4.4c1.2-1.9 1.7-4.2 1.7-6.8c0-2.7-0.6-4.9-1.7-6.7C1472.1 333.1 1470.5 331.7 1468.5 330.8z M1467 345.8c-0.8 1.1-1.8 1.9-3.1 2.4c-1.3 0.5-2.8 0.8-4.5 0.8h-4.4v-14.4h4.4c1.7 0 3.1 0.3 4.5 0.8c1.3 0.5 2.4 1.3 3.1 2.4c0.8 1.1 1.2 2.4 1.2 4C1468.2 343.4 1467.8 344.8 1467 345.8z'/%3E%3Cpolygon points='1492.3 329.4 1490.8 329.4 1489 334.3 1487.1 329.4 1485.7 329.4 1484.9 336.9 1486.3 336.9 1486.8 331.8 1488.6 336.7 1489.4 336.7 1491.2 331.8 1491.7 336.9 1493 336.9 '/%3E%3Cpolygon points='1479.5 330.6 1481.4 330.6 1481.4 336.9 1482.8 336.9 1482.8 330.6 1484.7 330.6 1484.7 329.4 1479.5 329.4 '/%3E%3Cpath d='M664.5 370.9v-41.6h10.8c2.7 0 5.1 0.5 7.1 1.4c2 0.9 3.5 2.3 4.6 4c1.1 1.7 1.6 3.8 1.6 6.3c0 2.4-0.5 4.6-1.6 6.4c-1.1 1.8-2.6 3.3-4.6 4.3c-2 1-4.3 1.5-7.1 1.5h-7v17.6H664.5z M668.3 350.1h6c2.1 0 3.9-0.4 5.4-1.1c1.5-0.7 2.7-1.8 3.6-3.1c0.8-1.3 1.3-2.9 1.3-4.7c0-1.8-0.4-3.4-1.3-4.7c-0.8-1.3-2-2.3-3.6-3c-1.5-0.7-3.3-1-5.4-1h-6V350.1z'/%3E%3Cpath d='M694.4 370.9l16.4-41.6h3.6l16.3 41.6h-4.1l-5.1-13.2h-17.9l-5.1 13.2H694.4z M705 354.3h15.3l-7.6-19.9L705 354.3z'/%3E%3Cpath d='M743 370.9v-41.6h10.8c2.7 0 5.1 0.5 7.1 1.4c2 0.9 3.5 2.3 4.6 4c1.1 1.8 1.6 3.9 1.6 6.3c0 2.2-0.5 4.2-1.4 5.9c-0.9 1.7-2.2 3.1-3.9 4.1c-1.7 1-3.7 1.7-6 1.9l13.8 17.9h-4.9l-13.2-17.5h-4.7v17.5H743z M746.8 350.1h6c2.1 0 3.9-0.4 5.5-1.1c1.5-0.7 2.7-1.8 3.5-3.1c0.8-1.3 1.2-2.9 1.2-4.7c0-2.7-0.9-4.9-2.7-6.4c-1.8-1.5-4.3-2.3-7.5-2.3h-6V350.1z'/%3E%3Cpath d='M787.7 370.9v-38.1H775v-3.5h29.2v3.5h-12.7v38.1H787.7z'/%3E%3Cpath d='M850.7 371.7c-2.9 0-5.6-0.6-8.2-1.7c-2.5-1.1-4.8-2.6-6.7-4.6c-1.9-2-3.4-4.3-4.5-6.9c-1.1-2.6-1.6-5.4-1.6-8.4c0-3 0.5-5.8 1.6-8.4c1.1-2.6 2.6-4.9 4.5-6.9c1.9-2 4.1-3.5 6.7-4.6c2.5-1.1 5.3-1.7 8.2-1.7c2.9 0 5.6 0.6 8.2 1.7c2.5 1.1 4.8 2.6 6.7 4.6c1.9 2 3.4 4.3 4.5 6.9c1.1 2.6 1.6 5.4 1.6 8.4c0 3-0.5 5.8-1.6 8.4c-1.1 2.6-2.6 4.9-4.5 6.9c-1.9 2-4.1 3.5-6.7 4.6C856.3 371.2 853.6 371.7 850.7 371.7z M850.7 368c2.4 0 4.6-0.5 6.6-1.4c2-0.9 3.8-2.2 5.4-3.8c1.5-1.6 2.7-3.5 3.6-5.7c0.9-2.2 1.3-4.5 1.3-7s-0.4-4.8-1.3-7c-0.9-2.2-2.1-4.1-3.6-5.7c-1.5-1.6-3.3-2.9-5.4-3.8c-2-0.9-4.2-1.4-6.6-1.4s-4.6 0.5-6.6 1.4c-2 0.9-3.8 2.2-5.4 3.8c-1.5 1.6-2.7 3.5-3.6 5.7c-0.9 2.2-1.3 4.5-1.3 7s0.4 4.8 1.3 7c0.9 2.2 2.1 4.1 3.6 5.7c1.5 1.6 3.3 2.9 5.4 3.8C846.1 367.6 848.3 368 850.7 368z'/%3E%3Cpolygon points='906.4 332.7 906.4 329.4 885.4 329.4 885.4 370.9 889.2 370.9 889.2 351.8 905.3 351.8 905.3 348.4 889.2 348.4 889.2 332.7 '/%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Hyaluronic acid, also called hyaluronan, is a glycosaminoglycan distributed widely throughout our body. It is particularly abundant in the female reproductive tract, both in the oviduct and the uterus, which makes hyaluronan an important molecule for applications in assisted reproduction. In this blog I will focus on the role of hyaluronan in the process of embryo implantation.
The use of time-lapse technology in IVF has in many parts of the world become a standard of care. The benefits are many, including the ability to communicate with patients about their treatments. A recent study aimed to find out how the patients value to view time-lapse sequences of their embryos at the time of embryo transfer.
The routine use of follicle flushing during oocyte pick-up varies a lot between clinics. If flushing is used, there are many alternative solutions. At Vitrolife we are constantly working to improve our products and services and one way of doing this is to get a better understanding of user behaviour during certain procedures. We were interested in the use of heparin during flushing and sent a survey to the IVF community. Here is the result.
Oxygen, the very gas that we depend on for life, is largely responsible for our ageing, demise and ultimately our death. Professor David K Gardner considers this paradox in his blog post.
There are many differences between Stockholm, Denver and Lhasa. One of them is the need for different CO2 settings in the IVF lab, due to different altitudes. In this blog post Dr. Markus Montag gives advice on how to ensure successful embryo culture at high altitude.
Another ASRM is over with lots of interesting new science presented. As always the programme covered a large variety of topics. In this blog I will highlight some of the studies and sessions which I found of particular interest.
New assessment methods call for new assessment measures. Having a common nomenclature can form the basis for clearer communication of embryo assessment and evaluation. The nomenclature described in this blog post is what we have found to facilitate ease of agreement and understanding between time-lapse users.
A successful IVF treatment is a pregnancy that results in the birth of a healthy child. Many aspects are discussed in order to raise pregnancy rates. An increasingly important parameter to reflect a successful IVF program in today's world of IVF is the time to pregnancy and live birth. In this blog post I will go through some of the critical steps in the IVF procedure and how they can be optimised.
