What "magic weapon" do embryologists have to help the birth of test-tube babies? ——Written on "Embryologists' Day"

Author: Fu Jing, Chief Physician, Shanghai Ji'ai Genetics and Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University

Reviewer: Sun Xiaoxi, Chief Physician, Shanghai Ji'ai Genetics and Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University

July 25, 1978 was destined to be an extraordinary day. The world's first test-tube baby, Louise Brown, was born in the UK. Louise's birth pioneered the history of artificial assisted reproduction, witnessed the miracle of medicine, and brought hope to countless families. Her creator, embryologist Dr. Robert Edwards, also won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2010. Since then, July 25 has also been designated as "Embryologist Day". As the world's first test-tube female baby, no one knew how long Louise Brown would live when she was born. After all, she was a magical existence in the medical community at that time. Now she is 45 years old. She has gone through school, marriage, and childbirth. Her life trajectory is no different from that of an ordinary woman.

Do you want to know what magic weapons embryologists use to cultivate test-tube babies?

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The first magic weapon: "Clairvoyance" - microscope

The "clairvoyance" of embryologists is a microscope that can magnify cells hundreds or thousands of times. With this pair of eyes, embryologists can carefully observe every move of the embryo in the microscopic world. The human egg is only about 100 microns, hundreds of times thinner than a hair, and cannot be seen by the naked eye. With the help of a microscope, embryologists can not only see the shape and size of the egg, but even the particles in the cytoplasm. The mature eggs that have just been taken out are wrapped in many layers of diffuse granular cells, like big snowballs, shining silver under the light of the microscope. The embryologists with sharp eyes are like Sun Wukong, who can see through everything and quickly pick out the eggs from the follicular fluid rich in various cells. After several rounds of washing, the clean eggs lie quietly in their exclusive culture dishes waiting for the arrival of sperm.

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The second magic weapon: "magic water" - various in vitro culture fluids

The "magic water" of embryologists is not the "water from heaven" in the Guanyin Bodhisattva's pure bottle, but the in vitro culture medium of embryos. When humans conceive naturally, the uterine cavity, fallopian tubes, etc. are all rich in liquids, which contain a variety of nutrients necessary for sperm and egg combination and embryo development. Later, great scientists analyzed the various amino acids, sugars, inorganic salts, compounds, etc. required for in vivo fertilization and embryo development, and simulated the nutrient composition and ratio of in vivo liquids to develop various culture media required for eggs, sperm and embryos. Finally, an in vitro fertilization system was established, which enabled assisted reproductive technology to be applied in clinical practice and eventually gave birth to test-tube babies. It can be said that the "magic water" of embryologists is the "fountain of life."

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The third magic weapon: "Robotic arm" - micromanipulation system

Embryologists can transform into Transformers and create life with super-powered manipulators? Why does it sound so sci-fi and incredible? In fact, embryologists really have a pair of special manipulators, that is, "micromanipulators", which are instruments composed of inverted microscopes and powered manipulators. When do you need to use manipulators? Friends who are infertile due to male factors or other need to undergo a second-generation test tube cycle (that is, intracytoplasmic sperm injection) must be curious about how sperm fertilizes the egg if sperm and egg cannot be put together naturally? At this time, the manipulator comes in handy! Embryologists select suitable sperm through a microscope, and then inject the sperm into the cytoplasm through the injection needle mounted on the manipulator, completing the entire fertilization process. Isn't it amazing? There are even more amazing things! For friends who need to undergo preimplantation genetic testing, the manipulator of the micromanipulator can biopsy the embryo as long as it sets up the biopsy needle! The micromanipulator is very delicate and will hardly cause damage to the egg and embryo. It is the secret weapon of embryologists.

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The fourth magic weapon: "Treasure House" - Incubator

The "treasure house" of embryologists refers to the incubators for nurturing embryo babies. They are the embryo babies' initial "home". The incubator can simulate the human fallopian tube-uterine environment, creating a constant temperature, humidity and low oxygen environment. The embryo babies will temporarily live an independent collective life during the days they are away from their parents. Just like military training, when the mother comes to pick up the embryo baby and live in her own uterus house, she will find that it is a completely new life. They have been trained before entering the mother's body, laying a solid foundation for becoming a strong baby.

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The fifth magic weapon: "Electronic Butler" - various monitoring systems

Embryologists also have a 24-hour "electronic butler" - various monitoring systems (electronic identity verification system, incubator monitoring system, temperature and humidity monitoring system, air quality monitoring system, etc.). With these guardians guarding day and night, embryologists can rest assured.

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The sixth magic weapon: "Responsibility" - Embryologists are the guardians of life

Eggs and sperms are the seeds of human life, and embryologists are the messengers who create life! Every egg and every embryo passes through the eyes and hands of embryologists. Embryologists protect life as if they were protecting their own eyes! Every day, embryologists nurture embryos with love and responsibility, and the growth of embryos is the best reward, and every cell division that symbolizes life is the biggest surprise!

Embryologists have many magic weapons ~ but the most important one is the love and responsibility of embryologists. With these, parents can rest assured and feel comfortable!

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