Less disturbance is often more!
Embryos do not have the same metabolic needs throughout development.
This is the foundation behind sequential media systems.
However, from extensive experience and many tests a well-designed one-step medium consistently outperformed sequential protocols.
Disturbing embryos mid-culture can cause more harm than good.
Each medium change disrupts critical autocrine and paracrine factors secreted by the developing embryo, especially in group culture where embryos benefit from these. Furthermore, it also exposes embryos to temperature and pH fluctuations which they are extraordinarily sensitive to.
This is why time-lapse incubators are such a valuable tool. They allow uninterrupted observation of embryo development without ever opening the incubator.
And importantly, our AM-IVC one-step medium is fully compatible with all major time-lapse systems—supporting continuous culture with stable performance throughout the full preimplantation period.
Interesting discovery when on consultancy: In labs where sequential media appeared to give better results, closer inspection often revealed the real reason:
• Poor air quality or high VOC levels
• Improper storage of plastics or other materials in the incubators
• Low-grade oil compromising the culture environment
In these cases, media change was unintentionally reducing exposure to harmful conditions, supporting embryo development by fresh media and oil (!) and not providing better nutrition.
With a clean lab environment, stable conditions, and a truly optimized one-step medium, embryos can thrive from fertilization to blastocyst—without unnecessary handling or stress.
Sometimes: LESS IS MORE 😊