Poor embryo development is one of the most challenging hurdles couples face during IVF treatment. When embryos fail to grow or stop developing early, it can be emotionally draining. Understanding the real causes and effective solutions is essential. Advanced centres like Shivam IVF, led by expert fertility specialist Dr Bhavana Mittal and recognised as one of the Best IVF Centres in Delhi NCR, help couples overcome these issues with precision and expertise.
1. Poor Egg Quality
Age-related decline in egg health
Hormonal imbalance
Low ovarian reserve
Conditions like PCOS and endometriosis
Lifestyle issues (stress, smoking, diet)
May lead to chromosomal abnormalities and arrested embryo growth
2. Poor Sperm Quality
Low sperm count
Poor motility
Abnormal sperm shape
High DNA fragmentation
Can cause failed fertilisation or early embryo arrest
3. Genetic Abnormalities
Chromosomal errors in egg or sperm
Prevents embryo growth to the blastocyst stage
Can stop implantation
4. Laboratory Conditions
Embryos are sensitive to:
Temperature fluctuations
pH imbalance
Poor-quality culture media
Requires expert embryologists and a high-standard IVF lab
5. Endometriosis & Hormonal Disorders
Conditions such as:
Endometriosis
Thyroid imbalance
High prolactin levels
Uncontrolled PCOS
These weaken eggs and affect embryo development
6. Lifestyle Factors
Smoking
Alcohol
Poor diet
Obesity
High stress
Lack of sleep
All affect both egg and sperm quality
7. Advanced Maternal Age
Women over 35 may produce more chromosomally abnormal eggs
Increases the risk of poor embryo development
1. Personalised IVF Protocol
Tailored stimulation plan based on:
AMH level
Age
Ovarian response
Helps improve egg quality
Experts like Dr Bhavana Mittal at Shivam IVF specialise in individualised protocols
2. Advanced Sperm Selection Techniques
Technologies used:
ICSI
IMSI
MACS
PICSI
Helps select the healthiest sperm
Reduces chromosomal abnormalities
Improves fertilisation and embryo formation
3. Improving Egg Quality
Recommended strategies:
Antioxidants (e.g., CoQ10, Vitamin E)
Lifestyle modifications
Fertility-friendly diet
Low-dose stimulation protocols
Hormonal balancing
Treating PCOS or endometriosis
4. Optimising Laboratory Conditions
Requires a top-quality IVF lab with:
Modern incubators
Clean-air systems
Skilled embryologists
Centres like Shivam IVF ensure ideal embryo culture conditions
5. Treating Underlying Medical Conditions
Correct thyroid imbalances
Manage diabetes
Treat infections
Remove polyps or fibroids
Balance hormones
Enhances embryo quality and implantation potential
6. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)
Types:
PGT-A (Aneuploidy testing)
PGT-M (Monogenic disease testing)
Helps select genetically normal embryos
Increases the success rate of embryo transfer
7. Lifestyle Changes
Quit smoking
Reduce alcohol
Maintain a healthy weight
Adopt a fertility-friendly diet
Improve sleep and reduce stress
Boosts both egg and sperm quality
8. Using Donor Eggs or Donor Sperm
Recommended when:
Egg quality is severely poor
Sperm abnormalities are extreme
Offers the highest chance of a healthy pregnancy