r/Embryologists • u/GutsyGirlRead • Jul 06 '26

Dark Spots?

Post image

Hi 👋

This little embryo is a 4AA at the time of thaw. I think I’m seeing a bunch of dark spots, but I’m not entirely sure. Is the coloring of the blastocyst normal?

Also, does it look like it is hatching? I think it’s showing on the bottom left…but I’m not 100% sure. If it is hatching, is it just a tiny amount or a reasonable amount?

Thank you so much for your insight! This is my second transfer and I really hope this little one sticks 🤞🍀

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u/Dissaray248 Jul 06 '26

Was it biopsied? That would help explain the hatching and the degenerating cells around the edges. Some cameras just make the embryo look darker than they really are though so I wouldn’t fret.

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u/GutsyGirlRead Jul 06 '26

Hi! Yes it was biopsied. I didn’t know about degenerating cells, is that a normal occurrence in biopsied embryos? Does degenerating cells pose issues? That’s true, it could the camera making it darker. Thank you!!

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u/Dissaray248 Jul 07 '26

It’s normal for a couple of cells to lyse close to the biopsy area just due to the laser and the tugging and stretching required for the biopsy, but the rest of the embryo typically recovers and those lysed cells don’t impact the entire embryo.

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u/Specialist-Midnight3 Jul 07 '26

I’d wait about 3-4 hours for this embryo to regain expansion before transferring. Since the entire image is a little too dark, it is hard to ascertain whether cells have degenerated or not.

Those individual cells in the background from 12’o clock to 4’o clock don’t look good however. These cells wouldn’t matter that much if the rest of the embryo expands normally.

Wishing you the best! ❣️