While the pick-up is being taking place, the follicle fluid gets analysed to prove the presence of egg cells.
If necessary, the egg vesicles can be rinsed several times with a medium until the egg cell (oocyte) is found. Each egg is examined under a stereomicroscope and then transferred immediately into a special already prepared and labelled culture dish, and put into an incubator (Picture 6).
The sperm cells of the spouse gets a special treatment in the laboratory and is being merged with the egg cells, which were won in the pick-up (= Insemination). Now egg cells and sperm cells are left alone. After 16-18 hours a first check-up is done under the microscope. If a fertilization took place, the transfer into the female body can already begin.
Up until 1988, embryo transfer usually took place 2-3 days after the follicle extraction, in the 4 to 8 cell stadium.
With the development of new medium, it is possible to observe the embryos in the culture. Then on day 4,5 or 6 after follicle extraction, 1-or 2 embryos in the blastocyst stage can be transferred.
 Grad A: similar blastomere, no fragmentation, good chances for implantation
Grad B: dissimilar blastomere, < 10% fragmentation, good chance for implantation
Grad C: dissimilar blastomere, 10-50% fragmentation, reduced chance for implantation
Grad D: dissimilar blastomere, >50% fragmentation, very reduced chance of implantation
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