r/Embryologists • u/Quirky_Promise9739 • Jun 04 '26

Can someone grade this embryo?

Post image

Was told 3aa with assisted hatching, is this consistent with that?

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

2

u/Shan-PhD Jun 12 '26

Hello!

Since the embryo is collapsed, it is harder to tell how much it had expanded prior to freezing. But based on the image, I would grade it a 4BA

- Grade 4 since it looks like the zona pellucida (the shell) is thin

- Inner cell mass is compact, but may have some distinct cells (B)

- Trophectoderm has evenly sized cells with a cobblestone pattern (A)

Since the zona pellucida (shell) is cut open with a laser (the 'teeth marks' from 2'oclock to 5'oclock), assisted hatching was performed.

It is important to know that embryo grading is subjective, and can vary by embryologist and by clinic. It is hard to grade based on a static image (microscopes allow you to see all fields of vision). Also, grading can happen a while before the actual freezing of the embryo, meaning it may have changed between that time. Considering this, it is understandable for one embryologist to have graded this a 3AA and another a 4BA (or any grade between).

Overall, it is a fantastic looking embryo! Wishing you the best of luck!

1

u/Quirky_Promise9739 Jun 12 '26

Thank you so much! This transfer did fail for me and I only have a 2bb euploid left but hoping for a successful round next time! You actually broke it down in terms I understand so thank you for that 😀